2 Samuel 12:23
“But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.”
I appreciate David's forthright speech. Some may think it insensitive. The counselors thought he should be grieving. Particularly because he so intensely was praying for the child.
I can recall often in movies, people correcting others for not crying or sensing an emotion others thought should be displayed. However, we feel what we feel. We can't falsely engineer it. To do so would be an attempt to placate others. In times of grief, there is much pressure. Worrying about acting the right way increases it. Doing so to be sensitive to others is fine, but to appease the crowd shouldn't be a concern.
I can recall being in church in my twenties and feeling not spiritual. I would see others so genuinely worshipping. I came to realize that we worship God differently. Part of it depends on our personality. Some aren't real emotional about it. That's fine. God knows our hearts. It's nice to be free.
Young people are often wrapped up in how others think of them. Much time and energy goes into it. John 21:22, 'Jesus says to him, "If I desire him to remain until I come, what is it to you? You follow Me!"' Peter was concerned that one of them would live longer. Jesus said it wasn't his concern.
We need to develop an aversion to business that's not our. That news can be the seeds for gossip. Proverbs 26:20 says, "For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases." When we avoid gossip, strife ceases. When we engage in it we stoke the fire of sin.
Galatians 1:10 says, "For presently do I seek approval of men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I were still pleasing men, I would not be a servant of Christ." God can weed out all of the concern of the world. It's freeing to fear God.
Lord, thank You for this passage. David wasn't attempting to put up appearances. Help us not to worry what the world thinks.