By Christy K.
We get caught up in the chaos of our world around us, the church world, transporting and caring for our children and/or grandchildren and some of it is good, some of it is bad. It’s so difficult in our today, that we lose ourselves, our sight, and any sense of tomorrow. I know this happens to me!
When the news is more than we can take and there’s more month left at the end of your money, Satan is delighted because he senses weakness and vulnerability. We are overwhelmed and harassed. The Bible says, “When He (Jesus) saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
Jesus sees you. He sees me. He has great compassion on you. James 4:8 says, “Come near to God, and He will come near to you…Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.”
I recently had a tsunami of events that overflowed my plate, and I don’t mean with donuts and other goodies! We had a fragile family member with a severe accident and out of state, but was in the midst of selling their home in Florida and moving to nearer to me so that I could help. Between concern for his care and health and trying to help with the purchase of the new home in my town, I was broad-sided with the tearful admission of another family member of her battle with alcoholism.
Overwhelmed. Harassed. Hurting for my family.
Recognizing that the enemy smelled the blood of my weakness, my immediate reaction, believe it or not, was to reach out to my prayer warriors. They love me, there is no judgment, and their hearts were with mine. They were broken with me.
But then, they showered me and my family with prayers! Some fortified me with scripture; some shared songs of praise with me to lift me up! My discipleship group continued to meet with me instead of letting me “take a break” and they listened to me, prayed over me, and encouraged me. My best friend met with me over breakfast and prayed over me and held me while I wept.
Just so you know, this isn’t a large group – it’s six women. Six women who love Jesus and know when to go to Him on behalf of someone else. Six women who know how to listen, love and lift.
You need a circle. An Aaron and Hur to hold your hands up while you pray. And you need to be that for someone else. We cannot walk the walk of faith alone. We need intercessors, and we need to be that for others. You say, “but Christy, I don’t trust the women in the church.” “But Christy, I have no one here that I can talk to…”
Thank God for this group of faithful women called The Confidante! This is why the admins of this group work so diligently to protect the integrity of the group! “This group exists for the purpose of a “safe place” where pastors’ wives can share their prayer requests and/or struggles with other ladies that totally understand and will stand in the gap with them.” You can post political opinions, theological opinions, etc. elsewhere, but here’s where you come for faithful women who will stand in the gap for you!
Sometimes you’re the strong one in the group, encouraging someone else. Sometimes you’re the one needing the encouraging. I’m not suggesting The Confidante is your only source of encouragement and friendship, but God uses this group for His purposes.
Cultivating friendships outside of church is imperative for you to have healthy friendships, grow and help others to grow. Not all friendships are the deep, exposing your heart kind of friendships! Some friends are buddies to hang out with at the soccer field; some are couples friends that you do couples things with, and some are those in-your-gut friends. Know the difference.
The Holy Spirit is always with you and your closest friend. Yet, He provides others in your life to be His hands and feet, and sometimes the arms you fall into.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)
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