How Much Does it Weigh?

One day a professor strolled into a lecture hall where she taught a class to a group of counseling students.  She carried a small glass of water as she walked to the front of the room.  Reaching the podium in the front of the class, she raised the glass of water and asked the members of the class to examine the glass.

Everyone expected the “Is it half full or half empty” question.   Instead, the professor posed the question, “How much does this glass of water weigh?”  The guesses ranged from 8 oz to 20 oz.  She then requested a volunteer to come to the front of the class who thought he/she was strong enough to hold the glass of water.  Several students raised their hands to volunteer, including a student who played on the football team.

She invited the 6’5” 240-pound football player to come forward.  When quizzed about how much he could bench press, he answered smartly, “250 pounds easy.”  “Then this cup of water is not too heavy for you, and you should be able to hold it very easily?” queried the professor.  “No problem,” he responded.

She positioned him to the side of the lectern and gave him the glass to hold in front of himself.  She inquired if he could hold the glass and pay attention to the lecture at the same time.  He smirked a funny smile to the class, saying, “Easiest assignment she has given all semester!”

The professor began lecturing on Dr. Frederick Perle’s Gestalt theory expanding the discussion to include the metaphor of peeling the onion.  Peeling the onion is an expression often used to discuss the process of personal discovery of the hurts and events that influence our life today.

Periodically she would look at the student and solicit from him how he was doing.  At first, he smiled and said no problem.  When probed if he followed the lecture, he returned with, “No problem.”  However, as the time of the class lengthened, so did his difficulty in holding the glass.  He started to use his chest as a prop to hold up his arm.  Then he added his second hand as support for his wrist.  He backed up to lean against the wall.  As the lecture continued, it was apparent he was looking for a way or place to set down the glass.  The professor stopped and questioned him about what she had just said.  He apologized with the response, “I am sorry, but I was not paying attention.  I lost focus because of trying to hold this glass up.”

With a very sympathetic voice, the professor inquired, “Tell me again, how much does the glass weigh?”  Bashfully he replied, “Right now, it feels like a ton!”  Looking out at the class, she retorted, “The exact weight does not matter.  It only depends on how long you hold up the glass.  Hold it for a minute; it is no problem.  Hold it for a half-hour, and your arm will start to ache.  Hold it for a day, and your arm will feel numb.  The longer you hold the glass, the more paralyzed you will feel.  The weight doesn’t change, but the longer you hold it, the heavier it becomes.”

Hurts and emotional injuries are like the glass of water.  Hold on to them for a while, and nothing happens.  Ignoring them for a time is possible.  You may even think you have stuffed them and forgotten about them.  The longer you hold on to them, the more they hurt.  Their effect can begin to paralyze your life.  The issues they cause can start to control your life.  

Does this describe how you feel?  My heart pounds in my chest.  Fear and trembling overwhelm me, and I can’t stop shaking.  Oh, that I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest!  (Excerpts from Psalm 55)

The key is to find a way to put the glass down.  It is possible!  Reach out to find the help you need.

Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you.  Psalm 55:22 (NLT)

Cheryl Gowin and Dennis Gowin.  Call us with your feedback, comments, issues, or questions; our phone number is 434-808-2637.