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The Most Helpful Question to Ask a Suffering Friend
“What can I do to help?” When I suddenly started having panic attacks along with anxiety and depression a few years ago, a very close friend of mine asked me this simple question. I won’t soon forget that moment because her asking me this question turned around my outlook on friendship within the church and how to help someone suffering through anxiety and depression (or anything else). I like this question because of all the noble and loving things it implies. It also reminds me of Jesus’ compassion for us. A Noble and Loving Question What makes this question such a noble and loving question? First, it implies that my…
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He Does All Things Well
The ideas behind this poem come from 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (a popular benediction) and Psalm 42:4-5. I quote a few lines directly from both passages, and then try to summarize a couple of the main points. I put these two passages together on purpose. God sanctifies us through our suffering. Though He may hide his face for a little while, He promises to be with us no matter what comes our way. I hope that hearing these two passages together encourages you as you face whatever trials are before you. Lean on Jesus as your strong support, and trust the Holy Spirit to refresh your heart. He will surely do…
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These Days Are Not Forever
These days are not forever,Good days will come again,When you and I can be together,Safe and sound, my friend. Though hardship draws us far apart,Across the chasm deep;This one bright hope I cling to:Those He loves, He will keep. When night eclipses morning,And sorrow eclipses cheer,Sigh not, dear friend, for I am here,To love you ’til the end draws near. My family, my sisters, my brothers,All must know,That He who keep us in His love,Will be with us where’er we go. (Music later on in this post) I wrote this poem after talking with a friend from church over Facetime. In the past few weeks, I’ve spent more time on…
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Longsuffering
This is a guest post from my sister, Kelsey. Kelsey has her Master’s Degree in Social Work and mentors new social workers while coordinating case managers. She recently decided to go back to school to learn ASL so she can better assist her clients. In her free time, Kelsey likes to read, write, exercise outdoors, and study the Bible. *** Sometimes sitting and waiting on a response from God is the hardest calling we will ever have. This helps us grow a very valuable fruit of the Spirit. The NIV calls it forbearance; the ESV calls it patience; but throughout my life I’ve know the best interpretation to be the…
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How Long, O Lord?
This is a guest post from a close friend of mine, Denae Everson. Denae is a stay-at-home-mom of two who loves encouraging other women to find their hope in the gospel. When she finds free time, she enjoys writing about motherhood, cutting and styling hair, and trying to get raspberries to grow in her backyard. *** I know you’ve been there. Maybe you’re there now. If you haven’t been there, you’ll probably be at some point, so just tuck this away until then. Not long ago, I was there, stuck in the hardest, darkest season of my 31 years on this earth. I had a two-year-old boy and a very,…
