My Redeemer LivesChikamu

With Friends Like That

Have you ever been struggling and suffering… and been let down by your friends’ reactions? 

We’ve been spending time in the story of Job because his experience holds so many lessons for us in how to respond when hard times come our way. And if there’s one thing in this life we all know, it’s this: suffering will come, sooner or later. 

Now Job was a good man whom God chose to test by letting the devil go after everything he had: his family, possessions, health, and reputation. And as this happens, Job’s three so-called ‘friends’ needled and criticized him at every turn. 

Our friends and our loved ones can be just like that, can’t they? Why? Because they’re fallible people just like you and me. They can’t always perceive what God is doing in your life. They can be insensitive and caught up in their own struggles. They can give bad advice. 

Don’t get me wrong. Friends and family are vital and often they help us through our storms. God blesses us with people who love us and that’s a wonderful thing.

But when the chips are down, when God is putting our faith to the test, we need to get close to Him. The first voice we need to listen to is His. The first person we must trust in Him. 

Peter the Apostle puts it like this:

“In this, you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith – being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire – may be found to result in praise and glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter 1:6–9)

That’s why God tests and strengthens your faith through trials and through suffering. And we don’t want to wait until the storm hits to get close to God. We need the wisdom of God in us before the storm hits.

Friend, God is your strength. He is your counsel. He is the One you can turn to and trust in any situation. The One who will always give you good advice. 

Rest in Him. Live in Him. And when the storm comes, as it most certainly will, you will be able to triumphantly declare through the tears and the gritted teeth of pain… My Redeemer lives!

Life Application Questions:

• Have your friends ever let you down at a critical moment when you were facing something really difficult? How did you respond?
• Ever let your friends down in their time of need? Ask God to reveal any hurting friends you might’ve missed. If it’s appropriate, reach out and ask how they’re going. 
• Ask God to show you opportunities when you can love and serve your friends and family when they need you the most. Ask for His discernment, wisdom, and compassion.
• How can you listen to God’s voice when you’re struggling? Are there songs that speak to you, or Scriptures that comfort you? Consider how you can draw closer to God.