A TRUE FRIEND

When someone is struggling, it is NEVER wrong and ALWAYS right to act in a loving, positive way!!!

It does not help to say things like...

"you know where that's coming from" - yes, dear friend, it may be the adversary's influence, OR it may just be information coming in the form of feelings. Please, don't add to my burden by suggesting I'm sinning by letting Satan into my life.

OR

"you should (fill in the blank) - yes, dear friend, I'm sure there are many things I "should" be doing that I'm not; if I'm struggling, you can be sure I REALLY am doing the BEST I can at that moment. "Shoulding" on me only increases the problem by adding guilt into my already burdened heart & mind.

OR

"Oh, I know what you mean! I... (and then turn the conversation around to you) - yes, dear friend, I KNOW we ALL have "stuff" that makes life difficult. I know that what is burdening me may seem minor compared to others'. But when I reach out to you and you turn the conversation away from my concerns, you have just let me know how unimportant I am...a burden I already carry and am in no need of evidence to confirm.

So, dear friend, when someone reaches out to you, what they really need is KINDNESS, a LISTENING ear, a SHOULDER to lean on...

A TRUE FRIEND!!

I'm just sayin' 😶