Originally published Friday, 05 October 2018.
Have you ever felt like you didn't matter? Like no one would care if you weren't here? That God doesn't love you or cares about what's happening to you? Have you ever felt so sad, that it feels like an ache that won't go away? Have you ever wondered if you're a victim of your circumstance? I have felt some of these feelings - but what I know today is that these are all lies. You matter, to others and God. If you read the Bible you will know that Satan is the father of lies John 8: 42-44 and he delights in doing so.
Christians suffer from these feelings also; David, Elijah, Job, and Jeremiah are some people mentioned in the Bible who struggled with feelings of unworthiness and wanted to die.
But I want to flip this around and challenge you to be a good friend to the people in your life. Don't categorize your friends and call some of them acquaintances, or associates, or whatever name you give to people that you regularly interact with. I'm challenging you to consider them all as friends. Get to know them; call them, chat with them, eat with them, hang out with them.
Don't be a friend that neglects. I know life happens. One of the saddest things about a recent suicide was a friend saying he wished he had checked in more; as a friend, he had no idea what was going on. Oftentimes when you're feeling down, just knowing that someone cares can make all the difference in the world. That's what helped me when I was in that place - knowing that someone cares but more importantly recognizing that God cares and I was not in this life alone. So whether you're struggling or you know someone who is, reach out, because God cares for you and He can use you.
Remember, a friend loves at all times (Proverbs 17:17). For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).
Are you a good friend? Are any of your friends hurting? How can you help?
SHARE
