It’s hard to ask for help. But it’s also hard to suffer in silence. I want to encourage you today to let your friends into your struggles… and to be a friend in the midst of theirs.
I’ve heard it said, “If you don’t make time for friends, you won’t have any.” Now’s the time to reach out to a friend. And now’s the time to be a friend. The dividends will pay off for a lifetime.
One of my good friends, Brian Osmond, sat down and talked with me about “Letting Friends In” on this week’s episode of my new podcast series, Pressing On… When You Feel Like Giving Up.
I’ve leaned on Brian more times than I can count, and he on me. You can watch our conversation here:
I ran into Brian when I was moving my family and belongings to a new town. Brian asked if I had anyone to help me move, and I said I had help on the packing end, but not on the unpacking end. He showed up with his two sons and helped us carry beds and couches and dressers from the truck to the house on one of the windiest days I’ve experienced.
The move was hard not only physically, but also emotionally, as it was precipitated by some deeply broken relationships. Brian and his sons were just doing what they could, reaching out to help, and I desperately needed the help. I didn’t know him well, but I swallowed my pride and let him in, also sharing what had happened to precipitate our move.
I didn’t want to burden anyone, but it turned out he was glad to help. I learned that just because I don’t want to do something doesn’t mean others don’t want to do that thing, too. In fact, Brian and his boys were happy to do it, connecting with us and serving in this way.
How many times have I carried burdens (including beds and couches and dressers) all by myself, not wanting to burden others, not realizing that others would often be happy to help—overjoyed, even!—if I would just reach out and let them in?
And how many times have I not reached out to help others, thinking I had so little to offer that it couldn’t possibly help? As another friend has told me:
“We need so little, but we need that little so much.”
Maybe you have a need this week. Maybe you’re trying to “move your whole house on your own,” when God has others who would be glad to help. And maybe God has others who could use a helping hand from you.
I hope you’ll watch today’s podcast and be encouraged to let others into your struggles, and to reach out to others in theirs. As the Bible says:
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).
Keep pressing on!
Here’s the link again to today’s podcast.
Love,
Eric Elder writes for page, stage & screen to glorify God’s name so Christ may be seen! Use this link to subscribe or unsubscribe.
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