Weekly Devotional for October 22

 

I would like to share with you a devotional that was written by a dear sister in Christ, Donna Eldridge.  Her husband is the minister of the Regency church of Christ in Mobile, Alabama.

 

In a Ladies class, we concluded a study based on “How to Help a Heartbroken Friend” by David B. Biebel.  The purpose of this study is to help us improve our comforting skills.  The following points have been emphasized during our study:

 

The most important thing I can offer my friend is love.  My love must be sincere, unconditional, and unselfish.  When I begin my effort to help, I must be ready to give what might be required to help my friend heal.

 

I must take the initiative to go to my friend.  The circumstances might be sad and uncomfortable, but the important thing is that I go to be with the hurting one.  I might not know what to say, but my presence and the fact that I care will mean more than any words which I might say.

 

Sometimes small, practical acts of kindness can help.  I might wash clothes, cut the grass, baby-sit, clean the bathroom-doing these kinds of things is an expression of my concern.

 

I must exercise patience and faith.  My friend may not heal on my time table or in the way in which I would wish; however, my commitment to stand by must remain firm.

 

I must be willing to listen.  My friend may be bitter and angry and say some things which make me feel uncomfortable, but I must not react with condemnation.  It is a compliment to me that my friend feels secure enough to share these innermost feelings with me.

 

My friend’s struggle to heal is the most important thing.  I want my friend to pass through this pain and find herself a stronger person.  I must accept the fact that my friend might choose for the experience to be a tomb instead of a cocoon of metamorphosis.

Helping someone in pain requires much of me but the rewards can be great.  When I help a person with a broken heart, I am emulating the Lord.  “The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”  Psalm 34:18

 

Thank you to Donna for reminding us of the importance of being a good friend to someone in pain.  Sometimes we all fall short in reacting in just the right way or saying just the right thing.  Hard times can put our friendships in difficult trials.  Forgive our friends when they fall short and work to being the friend that we need to be to others.  It is never too late to mend a broken friendship.  Margie