The saying “no man is an island,” has transcended time, and to be able to attribute this wise fact to a person, I had to do a google search. Apparently, John Donne wrote a book with the phrase as its title in 1624.
I recently got a call from a friend. He sounded depressed. He needed a listening ear to discuss a delicate situation. I allowed him to vent then wisely I gave him my conclusions. I offered some advice to help with the situation and prayed that it would work out for him. I am still praying for him and the situation that God will resolve it.
We are all dependent on each other or as Mr. Donne said, “no man is an island.” Today it was him, it could be me tomorrow. We must understand that we not only need each other to survive but also to thrive.
Supporting a friend or family member can be as simple as listening to their issues and being unbiased. It is still being able to view the individual as your friend despite what they share with you. It is the ability and discipline to not discuss what they shared with you to anyone. Finally, it is praying with and for them that their situation is resolved.
The Bible gives many examples of God seeing the need to share each other’s burdens.
God creates Adam a helpmate because he saw that “it is not good for the man to be alone.” He knew that eventually it got lonely for Adam. He needed a connection to an animal that would be able to communicate with him. God created Eve for Adam to support him in carrying out his duties. (Genesis 2:18)
Even at the greatest hour of his despair, Jesus appointed a son for his mother Mary. John 19 verses 25-27 states:
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
John 19:25 (NIV)
Clearly, God understands that as humans, sometimes the load gets too heavy. And while we understand that He is always here to help us, we need a physical person to assist.
Galatians 6:2 states that we should “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ” (NIV). The King James Version uses the word “Bear.” To be supportive of others we must be able to feel their hurts, feels their sadness. We must be human enough to have empathy.
My prayer today is that everyone has a good supportive Christian friend who is patient enough to hear them out, who is wise enough to give good counsel, and who is smart enough to know that one day, maybe soon, they would need the same privilege.