“When God closes a door, another one opens.”

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

“Everything happens for a reason.”

“God won’t give you more than you can handle.”

When I hear a statement like those above, it makes me cringe. People BELIEVE these clichés will help! I wonder, will these trite platitudes help the person? How much better will they feel when you share a blanket statement like, “When God closes a door, another one opens.” Will it make them feel better after they lose their dream job because the business is closing? The person who is depressed needs to hear, “God won’t give me more than I can handle.” Right? Because that’s emotionally mature and helpful. It’s going to prevent them from any self-destructive behavior, right?  

No, it won’t. These statements, and others like them, are cop-outs. You can’t think of anything better to say, so you opt for, “Time heals all wounds,” speaking it into existence straight to the friend whose 13-year-old child died days earlier. But, hey. It makes you look like the concerned good guy or gal because that’s what really matters, right?

What’s more frustrating is the sheer number of people who claim to be emotionally healthy or emotionally intelligent, saying things like “Everything happens for a reason,” not recognizing their inability to connect emotionally with another human being!

If you have to use platitudes like those listed above and cannot think of anything else to say, stop. Just stop speaking. Use that moment to connect emotionally with that friend. Suggest a solution AFTER you connect with them emotionally. Take a minute to listen to them without speaking!

But for the love of all that is holy, PLEASE STOP DECLARING THESE PLATITUDES AS TRUTH because THEY ARE NOT!

Is there a platitude you are tired of hearing? Let me know in the comments below!