Being a Friend

There are some close friends I know who are in the midst of some tough times; issues with health, problems on the job; a few have cancer and are in some process of treatment and therapy; several have some problems with depression; and there is at least one who is undergoing attacks and static from the enemy.

As a praying man I often look to the Word for help in praying. Additionally, I look to the Word for something fresh and applicable that I can share with them for encouragement, to give hope, some guidedance. I try to treat needs seriously and don't handle prayer requests lightly. I feel honored that my friends come to me with their needs and often open up with some deep things from their hearts and lives. I handle these requests as sacred trusts (keeping them confidential), not taking them lightly, and staying away from trying to give advice or "correction." The last thing I want to do is be like one of the "friends" of Job who came to him in his time of need. Even though Job's friends shared a lot of wonderful insight, they also told Job he brought some of his problems on himself, and there was implications that Job was in sin and God was judging for him for it.

Lord, help me, help all of us, to be true and loving friends. Ones who will stand with our friends, support them in tough times, and believe the best in them (looking for the benifit of the doubt instead of being critical). 1 Cor 13 comes to mind, the love chapter. Verses 4 - 8 say. ⁴ Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; ⁵ does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; ⁶ does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; ⁷ bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. ⁸ Love never fails.

Let us walk in love and understanding. Yes, there is a place for "tough love", but for the issues that my friends are going through (and that others go through), it just doesn't seem right to think I know best, when I really have no idea the pain and depth of problems and pain they are in.

Lord Jesus, help us all to be friends, to be friends to them like you are to us. You are accepting, supportive, forgiving, and you are always there for us. Thank you Jesus for being such a good friend, that you for being such a great example on how to be a friend.