A Letter to a Friend

A few weeks ago, I wrote a letter to a friend who was having a hard time in life. It breaks my heart to see those I love and care about going through a tough situation. There have been times when I'll admit, I am oblivious to the fact that someone is going through something, whether they just didn't share, or we weren't spending enough time together, or maybe I just overlooked it and for those times I am embarrassed and ashamed that I wasn't a good enough friend. But for the times I do notice, I try my hardest to reach out and encourage, because that's what God calls us to do.

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 
- 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT)


I could go on and on about how sorry I am for the times when I haven't been encouraging or edifying, but what would that change? I need to focus on how I personally can improve in the way I reach out and treat people, so do to that I thought I would share pieces of the letter I wrote.I felt like God placed it on my heart to share in case anyone reading it is going through something. I really hope you can share these words with others as they are facing struggles as well. Even as I write this post, I am looking at the words of the letter and I think they're something we all need to hear from time to time, even me. It's funny how you can do something that seems so natural and then later looking back, God uses it to teach you something or remind you of a truth.




"Dear friend,

Life is hard. It is filled with confusion and uncertainty. We don't always have control and that makes life even harder on some days. I wanted to let you know that thinking life is hard, wanting to stay in bed for days, and asking, "why?" don't make you any less of a person. They don't make you any less of a Christian. They don't make you any less than who you are. In fact, they're signs of your humanity and you can rest knowing you're not alone. 

Recently in my devotions, I've been reading about Noah's wife. She had never experienced a flood, she probably felt like Noah (her husband, the man she loved) was insane, and trusting God was difficult. She was in a storm she didn't understand, but God was faithful and pulled her and her family through it. 

Trusting God may seem foolish and His word might sound wild, but He is a God that fulfills his promises and remains true in our patience. Psalm 46:1-3 says, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling."

We have nothing to fear, because Christ is with us. Life gets hard and we get sad and confused and feel lost for words at times, but we can rest knowing that Christ will carry us and He has a plan, even when we do not see it."

Love, 
Natalie

Comments

  1. This is so sweet and so true natalie!

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  2. thanks for writing this encouraging piece!

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  3. I hope it encouraged you Marla. Thank you for stopping by the blog today!

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  4. This is so encouraging and thoughtful! Loved it!

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  5. Thank you for reading! I'm glad it spoke to you :)

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  6. I'm so glad! Thank you for reading. I hope your week brightens up :)

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