Have you ever had a friendship that felt weighted, even slowly turned into a burden?
I had someone close to me that struggled a lot. I tried to help with support and positivity, even tried to find humorous things to lighten the perspective. I realized this person did not get to choose all the difficult circumstances. In fact, life had been quite hard despite so many steps to make it easier. Life weighed on this person for years, stealing joy from the days and slowly draining the spirit.
How does Scripture instruct us to handle such a situation?
Paul instructs us in 1 Corinthians 13:4 that love is “long-suffering and kind.”
He is referring to agape love. Love that is a choice. Not a feeling of love. Love that is self-giving, not demanding. It is a love so great it can be given to the unlovable or unappealing. It is love that loves even when it is rejected.
Long-suffering means we are in it for the long haul and even if our good intentions are rejected, we don’t disappear.
We stay.
I don’t see too many Hallmark cards stating this, but God’s word is clear and God Himself models that for us. “For while we were still sinners, Christ Jesus died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
We might be running the wrong way, yet God still pursues us. I often contemplate what God gets from His relationship with humans, and repeatedly land on “Basically nothing.”
Considering God’s example, it is important that we stay steadfast in encouraging someone who is struggling long-term. That we choose to be there for that person and emulate God’s love. We choose to love even when the situation or the person may seem unlovable or impossible.
Because we choose to do as God does and as He instructs us in Scripture, we choose to stay.
If you are like me, I know I can’t love consistently like that, on my own. Thankfully, I (and you) don’t have to! God promises to meet our needs and help us to do His calling.
Will you join me in prayer for just that?
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I need help loving as You do. Help me to love by choice, not just feeling. Help me to love as You do, even when it’s hard, even when it’s not fun. Thank You that You provide all I need to do as You instruct. In Jesus’ name, amen.