It could be worse...

Someone told me today, when I was talking of my struggles and troubles (real or imagined I'm still not sure; thank you pregnancy hormones), to remember someone who has very real struggles; in essence, it could be worse.

I have never understood how this is an encouraging statement. In fact I think it is rather demeaning and says to a person "well... your struggles and troubles aren't really that important and if you're distracted by them it means YOU are no longer valuable and important so get over it so you can be of value to society."

Hormones aside, that is the message you send with "it could be worse."

Whether you're crying because your bouquet of dandelions died in one day or someone close to you died suddenly, you're dealing with death.
Whether you're crying because you lost your house or your sister lost the picture you just drew, you're dealing with loss, disappointment, and anger.
Whether you're upset you have to go to bed and say good bye to the day or you get bad news that could change your life, or end it, you're dealing with loss, sadness, and fear.

These are real emotions and they are not invalid because of the circumstance. Does not God say He catches ALL our tears in a bottle?

"You keep track of all my sorrows.

You have collected all my tears in your bottle.

You have recorded each one in your book."

Psalm 56:8

So please, if you have ever said this saying, commit yourself to never saying it again. Sure it IS true, things could be worse, but they don't have to be for feelings and situations to be valid. Besides that, if God does not treat our sorrows as invalid or not worth remembering than perhaps we shouldn't treat each other that way. 

Yes, there is room to grow, always. 

Yes there is room to encourage less looking at one self and more looking at eternity.

But please... never tell me it could be worse. I already feel awful.