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Your Question:
can i still have a good relationship with my friends if i'm in pain?
Answer:
As a pastor and a father of two, I've seen my fair share of hardships and struggles in relationships. It's easy to get caught up in the idea that we should avoid pain and suffering at all costs, but I believe that's not always the case. According to Proverbs 27:17, "Iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." This means that good friends can help us grow and become better people, even in the midst of pain and hardship. In fact, I think that's where true friendship is discovered. When we're going through a tough time, it's the friends who stick by us, who listen to us, and who help us through the darkness who truly show their character. It's not about eliminating pain or avoiding hardship, but about being there for one another in the midst of it. As the writer says, "Live like a person who has been released from a huge debt. Or go one step further: live as though you owe others, not as though they owe you" (Rom. 13:8). This is the kind of friendship that can help us grow and become more loving, joyful, and at peace. So, can you still have a good relationship with your friends if you're in pain? Absolutely. In fact, it's often in those moments of pain and hardship that we discover the true depth of our friendships. It's not about being a perfect friend or avoiding pain, but about being there for one another in the midst of it. As I often pray with my congregation, "Change me, Lord. Painful? Yes! Dying to yourself is always painful. Especially when you are convinced that the other person needs more changing than you. But this kind of pain leads to life."
Sources:
depression
edward welch
god freedom evil
alvin plantinga
meaning of marriage
timothy keller
practicing the way
john mark comer
power of a praying wife
stormie omartian
proverbs
lindsay wilson
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