The Value of a Christian Friend
In my last article we looked briefly at the fact that storms will come in our lives. The Bible doesn’t say IF a storm comes, it says WHEN a storm comes (Matthew 7:24–27 and Isaiah 43:2–3). On the Base at which my husband serves there are always wives dealing with the “storm” of deployment. As I speak to the wives from 3 RAR I remind them that although deployment is never easy, it can be made easier when they have at least one friend. As our opening verse reminds us, two are better than one. When we have our bad days a friend can pick us up and encourage us. When our friend has her bad days we can pick her up and be an encouragement to her. The value of a friend is Biblical. A Christian friend is even more valuable as they can pray for us and offer a Godly perspective when we lose ours! Do you realise how many military wives there are who don’t have a Christian friend? I’m sure that you are all aware that there are many struggling wives and girlfriends who would benefit greatly from a Christian friend. One day recently I was chatting with different military wives at separate events and each one made the comment “I know you understand”. Each one has friends but was making the point that other military wives have a greater understanding of what they are going through than some of their civilian friends (as wonderful as they are). By the time I heard it the third time God had my attention! For those of you who may think you don’t have much to offer another military wife, think again! Just the fact that you understand and that you empathise and are willing to listen may be all that they need. We should never underestimate the ministry of encouragement that we can give by listening and offering some uplifting words.
As Christians we need to have other Christian friends who can encourage us and lift us up, but can I challenge us to also consider how we can be a Christian friend to others: women who have never had a Christian friend; women who are lonely; who are facing storms; who are struggling in some area of their life. Of course it is often a sacrifice to step out of our comfort zone (particularly when we might be facing our own storms) but isn’t that what we are called to do? We are called to be the salt and light in the world and we can only do that as we reach out to others with the love of God (Matthew 5:13–16). We have opportunities to reach military wives with that unfailing love in ways that many other Christians don’t. There are women who are hurting, will we be the hands and feet and heart of Jesus and go to them?