Jennifer slept hours upon hours and had no desire to get out of bed. Why would she? What did she have to live for? She had no joy. Darkness covered her all day. She did nothing but was exhausted.
“Nothing” from the view of the one looking at her from the outside.
Jennifer was busy. She was busy all day long. She was busy thinking.
“I’m useless. Why can’t I get over this? What did I do to deserve this? Why am I like this? No one wants to be with someone like me. I’m a terrible mom. I wish I had a job. Is God even real? I just want to be done.”
On and on her thoughts would keep her busy.
When the phone rang, Jennifer knew it was Tammy. Tammy called every day. But Jennifer didn’t always want to answer.
Tammy did not understand what Jennifer was experiencing, but because she loved Jennifer she kept trying. Day after day, Tammy reached out. She called, visited, prayed with her, read to her, brought her food, did a Bible study with her, played games with her, watched movies with her, did her hair, brought her to the store, took her home, and whatever else Tammy could think of to do.
Tammy was tired. She often wanted to quit. Her husband wanted her to quit. Her children wanted her to quit.
At times, she wanted to yell at God, scream that he better do something soon or she would lose it. But, one day, just as she had that urge again, she remembered her own life. She was not like Jennifer. She felt loved, confident, and purposeful. She believed God was active in her life. She believed that the Spirit was alive in her and that Christ died for her. She had faith. And that faith gave her hope.
On that day, her hope also gave her joy. She asked God for forgiveness and renewed strength. She went to Jennifer with a new lightness. God had worked on her heart to reveal his character. He used Jennifer to draw Tammy towards himself.
Jennifer did not miss the difference in Tammy’s disposition. It brought joy to Jennifer so she asked Tammy to pray that she could receive the joy that she had.
“It's faith," Tammy replied.
“Please pray that I can have that faith.” cried Jennifer. Tammy did. And she did every day after that.
Tammy had Hope. She had Jesus. She had faith. And soon, because of her love for her friend, Jennifer started to experience joy.
What are you doing with a friend who is in a dark place?
Have you been thinking mostly about their heart?
Have you ever asked God to work on your attitude in your relationships?
Does your perspective ever get clouded by fatigue?
How did Jesus get strengthened in his walk with others?
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