1.) The PROBLEM
Do you ever feel like you have to wear a mask when you are around other people? Like you have to keep up the appearance that everything is great, everything is under control, everything is… awesome? And yet on the inside – your thoughts and emotions are raging like an out of control wildfire?
Maybe some of you can honestly answer no to those questions. If so, you are in the minority. If you were to search ‘how to reduce stress and anxiety’ on Google, you would pull up literally millions of articles, websites, videos, and resources. This demonstrates that right or wrong, people are under the perception that their lives are stressful.
The thing I find interesting, however, is that according to what is posted on social media, everyone around us is living the good life, no problems – no stress – no bad hair days. Everything is rosy and perfectly staged.
There seems to be a discrepancy here. The truth is – the same people that are presenting a picture perfect life to the world are the ones struggling with stress and anxiety on the inside.
2.) The SOLUTION:
Stress and anxiety seem less burdensome when shared. “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” Ecc 4:9-11
We know that God calls us to ‘Be anxious for nothing‘ in Philippians 4:6 and bring everything to God in prayer. God also calls us to share our burdens with each other.
We were designed for relationship, and when we are connected in Godly friendship with others, we have not only somewhere to discuss and get input on the things that are troubling us, we also have an accountability that helps keep us on the paths God has laid out for us.
“My command is this – love each other as I have loved you.” John 15:2
Being in close relationships with others can be scary – it takes transparency, which can be hard to come by in our Selfie, Instagram-driven world. But according to Larry Crabbe, a preeminent Christian Counselor, 95% of the people who go to counseling today could have been helped by simply talking to a good friend. Isn’t it funny how living life Gods way usually works better for us?
If you are looking at your life and seeing an absence of what you would consider deep, Godly friendships, I would encourage you to begin praying about that. Pray that God will bring someone into your life that you could connect with, yes. But also pray that you will begin to become the kind of friend that others seek out!
Jesus said that “Greater love has no one than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13 “Laying down your life” or taking time to invest in a friend will reap a wealth of rewards and benefits in your both your life and theirs.
3.) The RESOURCE
We have put together an eBook called:
UNBREAKABLE Friendship – 5 Steps to Making and Becoming the kind of Friend that lasts a lifetime.
We would love to offer you a FREE copy of this book! Simply click on the link below to leave us your email, and your free downloadable copy will be sent to you!
Feel free to share this post with others who might be interested – and let us know how you are doing in your relationships with God and with friends.
Link does not work.
Alain; So sorry you are having problems with it! We have discovered that it has a problem on phones in the portrait position – if you are on your phone try turning it to the landscape (sideways) position to access the download. Please let me know if you are still having problems and I can send it directly to you via email 🙂