Tuesday, April 7, 2009

A True Friend Seeks Wisdom On Behalf of Another


Anonymous says...

Hi...Im having a little trouble with giving my bestfriend advice and the comfort she needs...Her boyfriend taking her throught alot of changes and trials...1) she's pregnant and one top of that she found out she has Chlamydia, so can u help with some aspiring words of advice. Thank YOU

Beloved by Him said...

It’s a true friend that seeks wisdom on behalf of another. I am glad to see your care and concern for her, because she is going to need a lot of support. Being pregnant can be difficult enough under the best of circumstances; when there’s physical and emotional complications, it can sometimes feel overwhelming. If you can encourage your friend to lean on and trust God’s promises for her life, you’ll be helping her build a strong foundation that will bless her now, and in the future.

The most important thing you can let her know is that Jesus Christ loves her, and He died and rose again to save her from her sins and give her eternal life. Hopefully, she’s already a Christian, but if she hasn’t accepted Christ as her Savior yet, share with her ABC’s of salvation: That all have sinned in God‘s eyes, that she needs to believe in her heart that Jesus died for her sins, and that she has to confess her sins and accept His righteousness as her own. She may not be ready to give her life to the Lord right now, and that’s okay--God is merciful to whomever He chooses (Rom. 9:18), and you can continue to pray that He takes good care of her, and His goodness will lead her to repentance (Romans 2:4). Remind her of the truth of God’s love for her, no matter what she’s done and regardless of her situation (Rom. 5:8).

There‘s also a specific section of Scripture you can show her that addresses a lot of the issues she’s dealing with, and how the Lord will take care of her. Psalm 103 is full of examples of God’s goodness to His children, specifically His healing power in her body, His merciful forgiveness of her sins, and His eternal salvation for those who love Him.

Let her know that her heavenly Father covers her with loving-kindness and tender mercies, and rescues her life from destruction--even the problems that we’ve caused by our own mistakes (Ps. 103:4). He can heal any disease that she is afflicted with (v.3), and is skillfully at work forming the unborn child in her womb (Ps. 139:13-16). He is not angry with her, and will not punish her according to what she’s done (v.9-10). Yes, things may be difficult, but they are definitely not hopeless. The Lord will be sympathetic to her situation if she is willing to turn from her mistakes and walk with Him (v.13). He doesn’t expect us to be perfect; but He does want us to follow His word and His will for our lives. Show her how He promises to give her and her children, and even generations after them, His mercy and righteousness if she will choose to give Him her trusting obedience (v.17-18).

She has already found favor in God’s eyes by not having an abortion. The Lord has given her this child as a reward (Ps. 127:3), and He will use even these difficult circumstances for good in her life (Rom. 8:28). I’m not sure of the nature of the relationship between her and her boyfriend, but if she is pregnant and not married, she has some serious decisions to make. Encourage her to make the Lord her first love and priority, and to make godly choices regarding her boyfriend so that the Lord will be able to bless and protect her and her child (Matt. 6:33). See if they will consider attending a good Bible-believing church and utilizing some of their support and/or resources so that she can get good spiritual and emotional care. If he’s not interested, then hopefully you can go with her. Also, try to keep an awareness of her physical state, if she’s keeping doctor’s appointments, if she’s eating right, and trying to keep her stress levels down. I know it’s a lot of responsibility for you, but we are told in Matt. 5:41 to not just go one mile with our friend, but two. You will be putting feet to your faith and doing a wonderful work on her behalf (James 2:16).

God may well have put you into her life “for such a time as this”, to give her support, lend a hand to help and a shoulder to cry on, and help bear this burden that she literally has to carry (Esther 4:14, Gal.6:2). By being a true friend to her, you are showing her Christ’s love and fulfilling His law, and you will both be blessed because of it.

Sincerely,