Carry Each Others Burdens is useful for everyone at some time. That’s because everyone will experience a crisis sometime. We would like to help our friends during these times, but we don’t always know what is best.
This e-book combines the reports of a study with Marilyn’s personal narrative to help you understand what people find helpful and what they don’t.
(Yes, we know there should be an apostrophe in the word “Other’s” above; our programming language gets confused when we put apostrophes in product names, so we had to omit it. Sorry to appear to clueless regarding punctuation rules!)
Here are some ideas:
- DO actively listen when your friend needs to talk (no advice required – or probably wanted)
- Active listening is simply, listening. Occasionally respond with, “I know that’s hard,” or “I know that hurts,” or simply repeat in your own words what your friend said.
- DO be present – just show up. Your very presence can be a show of support.
- DO provide meaningful touch – a hug, a pat on the back, a touch on the hand or a back rub – can be the best way to help your friend know that he/she is not alone.
- DO pray with and for your friend.
- Be sure not to “lecture pray” (you know, praying that God will show her how to do what you would like for her to do)
- DO provide practical help.
A true friend is one who is with you through difficult times, as well as the good. A friend that points you to God while doing so, is one of God’s greatest gifts. To be a true friend is also a blessing.
Click here to view an excerpt from Carry Each Other’s Burdens.
For more on this topic, check out these Homeschool Highschool Podcast episodes:
Also check out these classic posts (things we have learned by life experience and by training):