Friends R Usናሙና

I'll Be There

Have you ever had a friend go through a hardship  and  wondered, “what should I do?” Or, “what can I do?” We would like to suggest that you simply… be there. Those two words pack a punch, but how exactly can we be there for our friends? We offer three ways to be there for friends.

Physically

There are times that we can call and text when something is wrong. However,  there are times that our friends need our physical presence. As we read the book of Job, it explains how Job’s friends failed in their words, yet, their commitment to friendship was shown through their presence.. They knew the power of simply being there for their friend by sitting with him for seven days, saying nothing. Their presence was Job’s support.

Emotionally

Being there for someone emotionally involves empathizing with that person, being willing to comfort and encourage him or her. While my wife was going through a rough time in her life in which she was suicidal, our friends helped us carry this burden. When we cried, they didn't judge us, they let us get it all out. They comforted us back to a healthy place. They were willing to sacrifice their time and energy to make sure that she would never return to back to that state again. 

Spiritually 

Sometimes,  when people tell us about their issues we say, “Oh I will pray for you” but do we ever actually pray for that person? Job cries out in the midst of his trial that someone would plead for him. As my wife and I faced that emotional battle, we had friends that would get on the phone with us to plead with God and cry out when we did not have the strength to do so ourselves. We made it through trying times because of friends that would passionately pray to God concerning us. As you continue to build friendships and community, remember the power of simply being there physically, emotionally and spiritually for one another. Also, be sure to allow your friends to be there for you.

Written by Jamaal and Terria Diggins