Thoughts On: When A Friend Is Having Trouble

 Hiding
from thoughts
of
hardship
a loved one is facing.
Realizing
the pain
they are going through.
Sick inside
a tear, another.
Nothing I can do.
Helplessness
But God is there.
I pray.
AJM

I was talking with my mom the other day about trusting in God (Trust is my word for the year, so she's been hearing a lot about it. 😛). She asked me right before we ended our conversation, "How do you trust God when there's someone very dear to you that's having a hard time?" I thought about it some. But it wasn't till last night that I was really thinking about it and remembered that I had the same question a few months ago. I wrote that poem then, when I was really worrying about my friend. I, and I think many others, have this spectrum of either not thinking about the problem, worrying about it, or trusting God with it. It's always one of the three.

So how do you care for the person and not worry, and how do you trust God and not forget? How does God tell us to handle it?
Okay, first off I want to say, worrying does not show that you care more. In fact, most people do not want you to worry. It's bad for you, physically, emotionally, and even spiritually. The Bible tells us many times to trust God, to not be afraid, and to not worry.
"Fear ye not, neither be afraid." Isaiah 44:8a 
"And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God." Mark 11:22
"Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee." Psalms 55:22 
However, worry is a natural reaction to certain situations. So don't beat yourself up about it. If you find yourself worrying, just bring your worries and cares to God through prayer, try to relax and focus on Him, and know He is in control and He cares for you and your friend.
"Trust in him at all time: ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah." Psalms 62:8
My brother reminded me how that trusting God isn't something like an equation. Do this and this, read your Bible and pray and you will automatically trust God fully. No, you just have to surrender yourself, your cares, your fears, everything to Him. It's a choice. You either keep your worries and troubles, or give it all to Him. Give it to Him. You don't need to worry because He's in control.
"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." Proverbs 3:5

How about when you're not thinking about your friend's problem? Perhaps it's overwhelming you too much, or it's causing you to worry and you don't want to, so you push it to the side. I can understand that, yet at the same time it seems as if you are forgetting something. You're forgetting that God will take care of your friend, and you don't have any reason to worry or be overwhelmed if you are trusting Him too. Your prayers are precious to God, and your friend will appreciate your care and thoughts of them. They need your friendship and love more than ever when they are having a tough time.
"A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." Proverbs 17:17
So please don't forget their problems or avoid them because it makes it harder for you. Trust God. If you do have trouble worrying and getting overwhelmed whenever you think about what your friend is going through, you need to come away and spend some time in God's Word, pray and ask God to help you trust Him. Draw near to Him. After you do that, you can share a verse with your friend, let them know that you're praying for them, and show them that you care.
"But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the LORD GOD, that I may declare all thy works." Psalms 73:28


Much love,
Abigail