Dealing With Heart Pain

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Jeder von uns kennt ihn: den Herz-Schmerz. Aber nicht jeder geht gleich damit um. Dieser Umgang ist das Thema.

Each of us knows it: the heart pain. But not everyone deals with it in the same way. This approach is the issue.

Traces in the Sand

We all leave traces of life. If we look back in our lives, then hopefully they can become visible to us. But can they also be seen by our loved ones? How can you recognize them? Many are blown away by the wind of life. Are my tracks so strong that they are still clearly recognizable long after death?

The past never comes back

It is part of our life that it is filled with heartache: In the worst case, this can be the death of a family member, but also beloved animals can cause a lot of heartache when they die, especially in children.

Such experiences of loss leave traces, sometimes notches and scars in our being. They change us from within.

Even when no words are spoken, the eyes and facial expressions tell the story of loss. Self-experienced suffering usually makes us more sensitive to the suffering of others.

Often one does not want to accept these changes and tries to flee. But it is advisable to accept and admit them. People with a belief in our Creator have it a little easier. You can go to HIM and deal with HIM and HIS word and look for answers.

WHY?

But often there is no satisfactory answer to the question WHY. The Bible was written to show us how to get out of our mess. It also gives clear answers to questions like:

• Does God take me seriously in my suffering?

• How is this reflected in the past, present and future?

Because many families can rarely express their feelings of tenderness, we are trained to keep our feelings to myself. Even the voice often does not reveal the deeper feelings and our physical contact often leaves a lot to be desired. Only when we are no longer together do we express feelings of loss in tears.

A dead tree

Even a single dead tree can change the forest because it leaves a gap. The landscape will never be the same again. The loss of a loved one changes the whole family. Each individual is thereby changed and in his own way another. Nevertheless, life can be enriched by such experiences.

Mental illnesses - the nine most common disorders

1. Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are the most common forms of mental disorders in Germany. Around 15.4 percent of the German population suffer from it. Women are affected about twice as often as men. Their feelings of anxiety are so strong that they severely restrict everyday life in many areas. They are afraid of dealing with people (social phobia), afraid of open, wide spaces (agoraphobia) or panic at the sight of spiders or blood. Undirected fears that have no specific trigger are also common. (Source: dgppn)

Let's remember: LOVE casts out fear. Where do you find real love? JESUS ​​is our source of love!

2. Somatoform disorders

Some people suffer from pain and other physical symptoms without finding an organic cause that adequately explains the extent of the symptoms. Doctors refer to this as somatoform disorders. They affect around 12 percent of the people in Germany. The trigger is usually an interplay of various factors such as genetic predisposition, stress, conflicts, extraordinary stress at work, in private life or in childhood. (Source: psyche.net)

3. Depression

Depression: 8.2 percent of Germans suffer from depression that requires treatment. Again, women are affected about twice as often as men. The illness is accompanied by deep depression and inhibition of drive. There are also physical symptoms such as insomnia and indigestion. Young adults between the ages of 18 and 29 in particular are often depressed. (Source: dgppn)

4. Addiction disorders

More than ten percent of people in Germany suffer from an addiction: the most common is still nicotine addiction. 5.5 million not only smoke, but are dependent on cigarette smokes. In second place: drug addiction. 2.3 million are affected - especially women who are dependent on tranquilizers or painkillers. Another 1.6 million are alcoholics – four out of five of those affected are men. There are also illegal drugs and behavioral addictions such as gambling, online and shopping addiction. (Source: dhs/Federal Ministry of Health)

5. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

According to estimates, 2 to 3 percent of adults in Germany suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorders. For example, they are haunted by obsessions or are under the inner pressure of having to perform certain actions over and over again in a ritualized form. This can be the compulsion to wash according to a certain pattern or to count things. In extreme cases, the compulsions can consume so much time that a reasonably normal life is no longer possible. (Source: Max Planck Institute for Psychiatry)

6. Bipolar Disorder

In the case of a bipolar disorder, formerly also known as manic-depressive illness, those affected suffer from extreme mood swings. Your mood oscillates between deep depression and manic phases, which can be accompanied by overly cheerful mood, restlessness and megalomania. Bipolar disorder affects 2 percent of adults. (Source: white paper bipolar)

7. Psychoses

Psychosis is characterized by delusional ideas. Those affected suffer, for example, from paranoia, have hallucinations, develop conspiracy theories or have the idea that extraterrestrials have transmitters implanted in their heads. Such delusions are particularly typical for people suffering from schizophrenia. Psychoses are present in three percent of women and 1.8 percent of men. (Source: RKI/ Statista)

8. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can occur after a traumatic experience. It is accompanied by fear and panic reactions. Typical are the so-called flashbacks, during which those affected relive their traumatic experiences in their minds. About 0.9 percent of men and 3.8 percent of women have post-traumatic stress disorder. (Source: RKI/ Statista)

9. Eating disorders

Eating disorders: Anorexia, or anorexia, affects about 0.2 percent of men and 1.2 percent of women. However, it is much more common among young women between the ages of 11 and 17. Of them, 20 to 30 percent suffer from eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. It is 12 to 20 percent of boys in this age group. (Source: KiGGS study/ Statista/ RKI)

As we have seen:

There are various, sometimes major challenges where we depend on the help of loved ones. Perhaps YOU are such a person who can help with such heart pain. Excellent. I wish you a pleasant time.

Human Dignity – Really?

Human dignity is the fundamental principle of the German constitution. Article 1, paragraph 1 reads: "Human dignity is inviolable. To respect and protect it is the duty of all state authority." Human dignity is thus mentioned even before the right to life. It does not need to be earned, and although it is an inherent part of every person FROM BIRTH, it is a right that is often badly abused.

The dignity of man is not an attribute like beauty or generosity. The term itself is based on the idea that the very existence of a person makes him or her valuable.

In spite of that, human dignity is difficult to comprehend and is used in many completely contrary contexts. In the debate about euthanasia, we speak of a humane or dignified death. Stem cell research on embryos can be seen as a right of or an attack on human dignity, depending on one’s point of view.

One German news agency reported a prison that was being run under inhumane conditions because several inmates had to share a cell without separate bathroom facilities. And of course everyone knows the saying, “That is beneath me (beneath my dignity?).”    

Example:

She asked him: “How much do the eggs cost?"
The old man answered, "Twenty-five cents apiece, Ma’am."
She said, "I’ll take six for one dollar, otherwise I won’t buy any!"
He replied, "Okay, you can have them. Maybe this will help get me going today. I haven’t sold anything yet."

She took the eggs and walked away with great satisfaction. She had won. She got into her elegant car and drove to a fancy restaurant where she and a girlfriend ordered everything they wanted, ate a little of it and left the rest on their plates. When she paid the $45 bill, she gave the owner $50 and told him to keep the change.                                                                                                                                                        Story by Rik Jason

This was a normal occurrence in the eyes of the owner, but compared to the previous situation with the egg salesman, doesn’t it seem a bit ridiculous?

Questions

• What causes these differing reactions?

• Why do we tend to wield our power and authority when dealing with have-nots?

• Why are we generous with people who don’t need our generosity?

In both cases we see a demonstration of power. In the restaurant, she said in essence, “I have the power to pay you more than your product is worth. I’m a winner. Her statement to the beggar was, "I have the power to give you less than you want, but you will still be grateful to me."

 Dignity in the Past

Dignity was spoken of in antiquity.

1. Leaders in society were referred to as dignitaries, and they were recognized as such by their clothing and other symbols of power.

2. On the other hand, human dignity was recognized in the ancient world as something that all humans had in common and that distinguished them from animals. The reasons given for this were the power of human reasoning and the image of God in man.  

Human beings have free will. We can decide how to behave. The decisions we make are governed by our morals and ethics.

In the mid-1800s, humane working and living conditions became political buzzwords. The discovery of the degrading actions followed during the Nazi regime in Germany were a big influence on the development of its Constitution after 1945, making the dignity of man central to its value system. It is also a key value in all other German national and international statements and declarations.    

Human Dignity and Human Rights

Human dignity implies a certain truth from which other basic human rights are derived. These include prohibitions against discrimination, freedom rights (like freedom of opinion and speech), property rights, protection rights (like protection from torture and the right to a just trial), as well as for social human rights, like the right to free time and education, as well as health care, shelter and work. The last few lay a foundation for a humane existence. This also includes

But can a job be reconciled with the ideal of human dignity when it is so poorly paid that people cannot live in a humane way without supplemental government support? Are the old and sick treated humanely when the homes they live in are so sparsely manned with personnel that there is almost no time to give individuals the attention and care they need? What do refugee accommodations and care look like? Some voices express a felt disadvantage as compared with refugees. Really? 

Our performance as humans in the last few centuries has been unimaginably inhumane! When we consider the number of human lives that were lost due to the insanity of war, we are left completely speechless. Dear Reader, it seems we have a huge problem. Wouldn’t you agree?

Terrorism and Human Dignity

Terrorism is endangering the rights and dignity of man on a worldwide scale. Democratic societies with their human rights for individuals are a favorite target for terrorists.  Rights of liberty have been greatly curtailed in the wake of anti-terrorism strategies. One example of that is the relaxation of data protection policies, such as the saving of digital data over a certain time period or the possibility to peek into another computer without the owner’s consent or knowledge.   

When terrorists are arrested, it is often difficult to treat them humanely. They themselves generally act in a way that defies the dignity of man and are willing to go to any length to reach their goals. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 cost the lives of more than 2000 individuals. Many of the actual perpetrators thereof are still walking around in complete freedom, but even they have a right to humane treatment because they are human beings. It is an inviolable right.

Theological View

In early Judaism and Christianity, the act of the creation of man in the image of God was understood as an indication of man’s dignity (Gen 1:27). At first, equality manifested itself as the equality of all believers in the eyes of God. Paul expresses it radically: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal. 3:28).

The crucifixion: It takes some deep thought to understand this historical event, the results thereof and the opportunities it presents, but it is well worth the time invested. You can read the story firsthand in the last few chapters of each of the four Gospels.

The climax of dignity is seen in the fact that God’s Son, Jesus Christ, died to give every human being the possibility of having eternal life. By calling us His children, He raises us to a status higher than any other on earth. Every believer who calls God his or her Father and lives in the full awareness of his or her value as a child of God is clothed with unrivaled dignity.

Practical Application

It’s easy to talk about such things, but when it comes to experimentation and implementation of these concepts into real life, many just throw in the towel. It seems to be difficult to experience this kind of human dignity in everyday life.

Family

How does dignity look in the family? How much value do we place on our partners? Our children? The oldest? The youngest? The middle child?  Is anyone at a disadvantage? Do we validate the efforts of each with a heartfelt thank you?

How do I show recognition and appreciation for my faithful partner? Could it be that I take the effort that is put into our relationship for granted and hardly notice it, much less reward it with a warm hug?

Appreciation is closely connected with honor and respect. Making the effort to consider my partner’s value, taking him or her so seriously that I actually listen when he or she talks and act accordingly is a way of honoring him or her. Recognizing that my own weaknesses are plenteous and that I am often in need of forgiveness helps me to deal lightly with the mistakes of others.

The family is the most intimate place where dignity can be experienced. There is great reward in treating family members gently and carefully.

Work

What does work have to do with dignity? For many, it is a necessary evil. They have to do it, although they would much rather spend their time and energy on something else. People who unexpectedly lose their jobs suddenly realize how important work actually is.

Some people define themselves through their work. In other words, they base their entire value as human beings on their professional achievements (see BLOG). This becomes a problem when they are no longer able to work, no matter what the reason. A job well done is naturally appreciated and respected, especially on the social level. This makes us feel valued. Whether from colleagues or customers, the appreciation we receive can be vital to our emotional well-being. The dignity of man may be inviolable in theory, but practically, it matters how we feel about ourselves and treat others.

 Quelle/Source:  www.menschenrechte.jugendnetz.de/menschenrechte/glossar/menschenwuerde/