You know it troubles me more and more each day as I watch what is going on around us in this world. It seems today more than ever that individuals are so focused on themselves, exhibiting a level of self-centered, egocentric, and selfish tendencies that are unprecedented. Caring about one another or showing empathy toward others does not even factor into any equation whatsoever. In the New Testament book of Hebrews, Paul talks about letting brotherly love continue; yet today more and more people are concerned about letting their selfish ways perpetuate. This is most evident in the youth of today. This condition is sad, as we prosper or stagnate in proportion to the support and help we lend to each other as human beings.

Imagine if you felt more secure in what others thought about you. What if you did not have to concern yourself with how people might react to something bad that happened to you. Imagine if you could tell a stranger or someone you recently met about a humbling experience, or a problem that was plaguing you, and knew that you would receive a compassionate ear. One of the reasons that people go to support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous is to receive empathic listening from strangers, people who have experienced similar problems and are therefore non-judgmental. Not many of us have access to these support groups because fortunately we have not succumbed to problems like alcoholism, yet many of us are still burdened by a myriad of besetting problems, which, had we access to such a meeting place, we might be able to dump into the sea of empathic listeners and receive the support which could allay the pain of the harassing situation.

With all the problems that are plaguing our current world, it is vital that we start to show true brotherly love and to listen and support one another. We all can be our own support group. This Christian message not only makes sense but is seen more and more as the linchpin to heal the shuddering populace of our beleaguered society. When we learn to love and support one another, then only do the negative traits of greed, envy, strife, and covetousness cease to threaten our spiritual well-beings. Just as one negative thought and action can spiral into another, causing a domino effect of unending cascading destruction, one positive thought and action can do the reverse, healing and uplifting everything in its path.

So friends, let