Friends Hold Each Other Up

Last updated on: August 17, 2025 at 6:07 pm by Michele Howe

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Friends Hold Each Other Up 2025-08-17T18:07:56-05:00 Michele Howe

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You God stoop down to make me great. You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn.

Psalm 18: 35-35

God never wastes pain. He always uses it to accomplish His purpose.

Jerry Bridges

There’s something about being in physical pain that makes me wary of taking on new projects, tiring volunteer opportunities, even fun leisure activities. I know this to be true. For years, I’ve been in almost constant pain and though I’ve accepted the fact that my shoulder problems will continue to remind me of my untreatable condition both day and night, I have my days (did I mention nights?) when it gets to be too much.

When I wake up to the sound of rain hitting the rooftops, I can pretty much plan on having to fight extra hard not to be waylaid by pain that day. If I’ve traveled in a car for more than twenty minutes, picked up a heavy grocery bag, or gone on a cleaning tear through the house, I can expect to pay for it. And I do, for not one, but usually several days thereafter.

Jesus Promises Me Strength For Today

My biggest battle isn’t accepting that I have physical condition that no amount of surgery, pain-relievers, or exercise can cure…it’s my tendency to project ahead that gets to me the most. With Christ’s help, I can do today, painful as it might be. On my own though, I tend to look far into the future and quickly find myself sinking into despair. I wrongly allow my mind to wander into the months and years and see myself still fighting this daily pain and I want to give up.

On particularly difficult days when I have a to-do list a mile long and my pain level is ratcheting up and up and up; I’ve found only one sure-fire remedy. Call a friend.

Good Friends Provide Needed Perspective

During those “I want to give up,” moments, I need a fresh perspective, a good word of encouragement, or maybe just a laugh. Thankfully, I know where to turn. Friends. One and all have helped me see life better, brighter, and with a whole bunch of hope all wrapped up in love. I wonder about people who say they don’t need friends because I sure wouldn’t want to live my life without them at my side.

Everyone Benefits From Authentic Friendships

One of the great things about female friendships…you don’t always need a lot of words to convey a lot of meaning. In fact, sometimes just a look will do the job. (Or a single word text.)

Which is why I’m so grateful to have a small “gang” of my own to call friends.

Fall, winter, spring, or summer…doesn’t really matter what season we’re in or what holiday we’re celebrating…rejoicing in the friendships we share with others is always the “gift that keeps on giving.” This is especially true for females.

Become The Friend You Desire To Have

Women and our friendships: Their solidarity is confounding, given they often agree and disagree in equal measure yet their loyalty pronounces a unity that can’t be disputed. Good friends won’t let each other fall too far. They have each other’s backs. They feel each other’s pain. They sometimes feel like a pain, true enough. And still, when the losses tally up, women rally to one another’s sides and they secure the gap with a commitment so tenacious it can be startling to onlookers as well as the women themselves.

Friends reach out and secure one another. They reach under and lift up. They reach around and hold tight. Surrounded by such a safety net and secured by unconditional love, no wonder that women fare better than their male counterparts in wake of similarly devastating circumstances. It’s true; there is indeed safety in numbers and the language of friendships can offer something precious, not to replace the loss mind you, but to circumvent some measure of the hurt. It is standing and declaring publicly, ‘This is my friend.’” Real friends make a woman feel safe, in season and out.

Safe.
Secure.
For sure.

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Family, Parenting and Religion

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About Michele Howe

Michele Howe is the author of 30 books for women, children, and families. She has published over 3000 articles, reviews, and curriculum. Her newest book, Fight for Joy - Finding Peace In Impossible Circumstances releases later this year by CLC Publications. You can read more about the author here.

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