The Value of Friends by Sharron K. Cosby

The Value of Friends

by Sharron K. Cosby

“A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on”

(Mark 2:1-4, NIV).

I’ve experienced the heaviness of depression and hopelessness. A dark cloud followed my every step. Some days, the pall felt impenetrable. My head knew Jesus could lift the load, but my heart couldn’t climb out of the hole to accept that assurance. But some of my friends brought me ladders of hope.

Friends from work and my Christian critique group supported me through this troubled period. Some of them got in the pit with me as I railed against the situations I faced. They loved me with phone calls, text messages, hugs, and handwritten notes of encouragement. These special friends helped me break through the dark clouds to the sunshine of peace.

Today’s scripture reminds us of the powerful influence of friends. A young man wanted to see Jesus and receive healing from his paralysis. The crowd outside the gathering place was so thick, they couldn’t get the man to the door. But that didn’t stop them. Determination and ingenuity led them to cut through the roof to bring their friend to Jesus.

Many writers question their call to write when they experience bouts of loneliness, hopelessness, and doubt. We often try to power through the struggles alone. We may smile and assure everyone it’s just the proverbial “writer’s block,” when the struggle goes deeper than that.

The good news is that writers don’t have to plow through problems alone. Critique groups, such as Word Weavers International, support writers caught in the bleak webs of demotivation or inspirational emptiness. Our creative partners serve us much like the men who doggedly pursued a way to get their friend to Jesus in our focus verse.

Whether we’ve suffered in that dark place or not, we may recognize when some of our group members languish there. We can jump in the pit with them in simple, but meaningful ways. Offer encouragement over lunch or a cup of coffee. Listen to their heart’s cry and pray with them. Send a card with an encouraging note or scripture. Be a light in their midnight hour.

Father, thank you for the blessing of friendships that rejoice with us in the good times and hold our hands in the troubled ones. May we be “Jesus with skin” to whose who are experiencing disappointments and heartaches and offer them hope. Amen.

Sharron Cosby is a proud Alabama native transplanted to the sands of Florida. She is an award-winning author and loves speaking about her family’s journey through addiction and other hope-filled topics. Her book, Praying for Your Addicted Loved One: 90 in 90, is a devotional for families who love an addict. Connect with Sharron at www.SharronCosby.com

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