I have been wanting to write on being transparent for a few weeks now.... In all honesty I haven't had the time to actually sit down and write it all out. The other day I had a situation in my own life with a friend who was struggling with addiction, we have been friends for a while and what I considered to be close friends and I had no idea what was going on and just how serious it was. I started to wonder why? Even in close circles and bible studies, women's group and church I think that is a struggle for some people. I admit I have struggled with this in the past as I was going through things, for whatever reason I thought that the problems were mine and I had to struggle through them alone. I wonder if we really understand the purpose of the people that God puts into our life. We are called to love one another, encourage and build each other up. Pray for each other as we are in the midst of the storm. But if we aren't being honest with one another and transparent then how can I help you, encourage you or pray for you. Its so important to let those people all the way in and lean on them for support especially during the times when we feel like we are so alone. So many times in our lives we go through things and God helps us come through and then not only are we better and closer to Him but we now have a testimony. Imagine if we didn't share our testimony or the struggle we went through, how could we help each other? How could you know if God placed someone in your path for the exact thing that you are dealing with if you don't share? That seems like so many missed opportunities, missed blessings that we could be sharing. You know how you feel when someone talks to you about what they are going through and you find out that its the same thing your dealing with... Its almost like a sigh of relief, like we aren't alone and more importantly that we aren't crazy! Honestly that is always my first thought. "oh thank you Lord I'm not alone and I'm not crazy!" Then we usually form a bond with that person and can lean on each other as well as pray for each others needs! Friendship is a blessing! Don't miss out on that! This is one of my favorite bible verses and I'm going to apply it to this situation:
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!
Whats that tell you? we need each other. Lets be there to build each other up! You know that old saying "you can't have a friend unless you be a friend" ? We need to remember to respond in love and grace and even forgiveness when we come to each other.
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Love at all times friends! Make it easy for your friends to come and share! Be a place of encouragement and point them to the one who offers hope and forgiveness!
Heavenly father, help us to be real with each other lord, help us to love one another the way you have loved us. Lord search us and show us things we need to work on and put people in our path to be a helping hand. Help us to rely on you for our source of strength, help us to remember that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Thank you for the blessing of friendship and for sweet fellowship and help us to take advantage of that. Amen.
