Thursday, April 18, 2013

By: Gwen Hitt

You NEED a Battle Buddy

Philippians 4:13-14 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress."

Philippians 4:13 has always been one of my favorite scriptures. The words "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" have carried me through some difficult moments in my life. This scripture verse is also special to me because it became my best friend's favorite scripture in her battle with cancer.

Although Connie is with the Lord now, her faithful example of trusting in Him for the strength to deal with her cirumstances became the inspiration for the Constant Friend Devotion and enables her to live on in the lives that she continues to touch.

The second part of today's scripture states "Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress." I was extremely honored to share in Connie's distress --to be there for her--to pray for her --to love her. After all, she'd done all those things for me in my dark hours. I once read that we should all have a "battle buddy" because it is difficult for ONE person to go into a war and to expect victory.

Unfortunately, we all experience many different trials in our lives. While I cannot fully explain it, there is something powerful about sharing our burdens. While our troubles may not completely go away, there is definitely some form of relief that occurs by doing so. As the old saying counsels: "A burden shared is a burden halved."

Too often, people keep their pain bottled up causing them to be very oppressed. If those individuals would only share their burdens with someone who will love them and encourage them in God's promises, that heavy weight would become lighter.

I challenge you today to make sure you have at least one battle buddy (a trusted family member or a trusted friend) AND "together" bring your situation to our loving Father. According to Matthew 18:20, "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

Dear Lord, My cry to You today is to help me establish lasting relationships with individuals who could serve as my "battle buddies" -- my personal prayer warriors. Proverbs 18:24 tells me that "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." Father, my desire is to have that type of friend in my life!

I thank You, my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that you are Lord and God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life. In the Name of Jesus I pray, Amen.