Earlier this week, my friend Susan took 5 minutes to send me a hug via video.

She gets me.

She understands my life is crazy.

She doesn’t try to fix me.

She listens.

Where would I be without my friends?

In the midst of this crazy life,I need women who will point me to Jesus.

Last week, while Bruce was out of town, my friend Lolita joined me for dinner, and then we went on an adventure to try on Halloween costumes. (Note: I don’t normally celebrate Halloween, but I do love dressing up.)

 

I’d spent the week immersed in crazy stress, and one night out filled with laughter and love healed my hurts. A good friend helps you find rest.

Part of caring for your soul and finding rest is making room for friendships.

Making Room for A little help from Friends Matters:

A good friend fusses over you.

Friends show up when you are down and uphold you. They consistently press in when you are overwhelmed, remind you God is in control. Create space in your crazy schedule for women who remind you God is good and will get you through whatever you are facing.  

“Live in true devotion to one another, loving each other as sisters and brothers. Be first to honor others by putting them first.” (Romans 12:10, Voice) 

A good friend fails to find fault.

A friend who is spiritually mature and healthy will never shame you. A sweet sister in Christ realizes she has lavishly received God’s grace, and so she is called to let go of offenses and live as a grace giver. 

“So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.” (Colossians 3:12-14, MSG)

A good friend fills your life with laughter

Friends bring a lightness of being to heavy days by tickling your funny bone. They get silly and help you get the giggles to fight the gloom. Laughter and friends with a sense of humor are good medicine.  

“Sweet friendships refresh the soul and awaken our hearts with joy, for good friends are like the anointing oil that yields the fragrant incense of God’s presence.” (Proverbs 27:9, TPT)

A good friend fights for you in prayer.

You need women in your corner who will cover you with love and prayer when you call. Share your burdens will warriors who cry out to God on your behalf.

“Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven’t stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to His will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. We pray that you’ll live well for the Master, making Him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us.” (Colossians 1:9-12, MSG)

I want to be a good friend to you, and I pray that every time you visit this space you will find encouragement and hope that points you to Jesus.

If you don’t currently have healing friendships in your life, I encourage you to pray for God to send those people in your life. Every Lucy needs an Ethel. Every Jonathan partners with a David. Jesus had Peter, James and John. The Apostle Paul was stronger because of friends like Barnabas and Timothy. God is our very best friend, but He sends us people to love us in His name. Your Savior will wash your feet by using a sweet friend if you let Him.

If you are a busy woman, you need to break away on a regular basis to break bread with a good friend. You will be a better version of you.

As iron sharpens iron, so a person sharpens his friend.

(Proverbs 27:17, NET)

I am so thankful that you read this blog and join me here each week to chat about how we can fuel our faith even when life is super hard. I love hearing from you — just reply back to any e-mail if you are subscriber, and it lands in my inbox. I promise I will reply. I’d love to know how I may pray for you and what you are struggling with right now. Do you have any questions you’d like me to answer? Is there a topic you’d like me to explore that is a real area of need? Please reach out and share your heart.

Maybe you are wondering where I go for encouragement when I need it. Well, I have a few friends whose blog posts land in my inbox on a regular basis. I am so encouraged by their words, and I want to introduce you to a few of my friends today.

I get by with a little Help from these amazing friends:

Are you asking “Where Are You, God?” My good friend Kristi Woods will help you remember God is watching over you.  (I was so incredibly encouraged by her words!)

Is life crushing you right now? Kristine Brown shares 2 Providential gifts to help us start “Moving from an Overloaded Life to Overflowing with Hope.”

Jennifer Dukes encourages us to unplug from the noise and tap into His presence by developing “The Spiritual Practice of Tucking. Away.“

If you are a “do-er” who is constantly overwhelmed, you will find encouragement through Abby McDonald’s story: “Crushed by the Weight of My Expectations.“

Scarlett Hiltibidal provides a timely tutorial on how to create calm as we approach the crazy holiday season: “How to Rest in December.”

Betsy Cruz shows us how to pray when our mind is racing as a million miles a minute. Love her post: “How to Pray Simply When You Need Calm.“

Y’all, I must add this 15-minute podcast with Emily Freeman, which is a gift from heaven to my weary soul each week: Don’t Dread Your Weird Life.

Take time this week to make a new friend and to find encouragement from her story. Sharing stories with generous friends is good for your soul.

Reliable friends who do what they say are like cool drinks in sweltering heat—refreshing!

(Proverbs 25:13, MSG)

This week, I dare you to put girl time on your calendar and create ample space for rest and refreshment. You will never regret choosing to make room for friendship.

You could invite a few friends to join you in this month’s gratitude challenge! To help you get started, I’ve created a one-page printable for you to count your blessings from A to Z this month. You’ll have super fun working together on this sweet exercise to notice God’s extraordinary grace in your every day ordinary. Sign up today as a member of the Wildfire Faith Community and  grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library.

Bonus: I’m also going to count my blessings from A to Z on my Instagram and Facebook for the first 26 days in November, and I’d love for you and your friend to join me there and share yours.  

Making room for friendship in our busy schedules helps us live healthier. We find strength by sharing our stuff and knowing we are not alone. We learn to laugh at ourselves. And, we discover that prayer in community makes a difference. Embracing relationships will plant seeds of joy and enrich every area of your life.

A little help from your friends will get you through the hard stuff.  

 

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Are you feeling overwhelmed by your commitments and constantly running on empty? CHECK OUT MY COACHING SERVICES TO HELP YOU develop a plan to Refuel with rest and soul care.

 

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