Unexpected news, traumatic events, and unfortunate but common stressors in life—such as a fender bender or learning that you’ve lost your job—can hit us in unexpected ways. While we may not be able to verbalize exactly how we feel in the moment, having a family member, spouse, or close friend be there for us during a hard season can make all the difference in the world.
That’s what we are talking about in this episode—the power of being there for someone else. We’ve experienced this many times in our own lives as we’ve faced unexpected turns of events, loss, and even crisis.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How a simple hug can offer comfort
- Practical ways you can be there for someone
- The God Tool of Courage
- And more!
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- What is a Love Style? with Milan & Kay Yerkovich | Episode 108
- As a thank you for listening, get your 3 free eBooks
My Key Takeaways:
1) Don’t hesitate to step into someone’s mess. If you have a friend or family member who is going through a tragedy, they are likely not going to be able to verbalize how comforting your presence would be. Or, they may worry about burdening you with their hardships and hesitate to take up your time. However, you know them well enough to recognize when they are struggling. Listen to those instincts and show up for them.
2) Embrace the ministry of presence. Did you know that being with someone is a ministry? Jesus asked his Disciples to stay with him at the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26) shortly before he would be crucified. We don’t have to donate money or things to make a difference. Our mere presence can offer immense comfort, help, and hope during someone’s darkest days.
3) Our presence can offer practical support. Whether it’s offering a hug, refilling a friend’s water bottle, or making sure there is a hot meal put in front of them, when we offer our presence, we are in a prime position to help meet practical needs as well. I (Jill) had a friend do this for me when Mark and I were going through our marriage crisis. This friend offered me comfort and made sure our children were fed when I couldn’t verbalize what we needed.
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