3 Gifts to Give Your Friends by Becky Harling
http://www.identitynetwork.net/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=3-Gifts-to-Give-Your-Friends-by-Becky-Harling-&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
By Becky Harling
Steve and I have been in Costa Rica for the last week, relaxing and praying into 2026 and what the Lord has for us. Early this morning, I received an encouraging text message from one of my friends. It felt like a wink from God, confirming one area of my calling. As I've been thinking about my dear friend who sent the text, I've also been thinking about the different gifts we might give our friends. Beyond physical gifts—although those are wonderful—there are other gifts that encourage the soul. They offer a sort of life-support system. They refresh and revive the weary soul.
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Steve and I have been in Costa Rica for the last week, relaxing and praying into 2026 and what the Lord has for us. Early this morning, I received an encouraging text message from one of my friends. It felt like a wink from God, confirming one area of my calling.
As I’ve been thinking about my dear friend who sent the text, I’ve also been thinking about the different gifts we might give our friends. Beyond physical gifts—although those are wonderful—there are other gifts that encourage the soul. They offer a sort of life-support system. They refresh and revive the weary soul.
Solomon wrote, “Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25b). It’s the law of reciprocity. If you refresh others, they’ll likely refresh you as well. Within the realm of friendship, there are three great ways to do this. I think of them as the 3 L’s of wise friendships.
3 Gifts to Give Your Friends
Listening. Ah, there is just nothing quite like a listening friend—one who offers full presence and just listens. Solomon told his son to both listen and pay attention (Proverbs 4:1). When you offer your friend your undivided attention and focus on understanding the heart behind their words, you are giving them an invaluable gift. Lean in and focus. Try to understand what’s going on under the surface. What a gift you will be!
Laughing. There’s nothing quite like a good belly laugh with good friends. Life is often serious, but laughter refreshes our souls. “A cheerful heart is good medicine” (Proverbs 17:11). Laughter lightens the burdens we carry daily. According to the Mayo Clinic, laughter releases endorphins, reduces stress, and stimulates your heart and lungs. When you’re with friends, laugh a little. Don’t take life quite so seriously. It will be great for your health!
Lifting. “A friend loves at all times” (Proverbs 17:17). Good friends are there for you in the great times but also in the tough times. Do you remember the friends who lifted their paralytic friend and carried him to Jesus? They dug through the roof and dropped him right in front of Jesus to be healed (Mark 2:1–12). These were some great friends! It also leaves me wondering about the paralytic. He must have been a great friend as well, that the four were so committed to him they were willing to carry him on a stretcher to the house where Jesus was teaching. In your life and mine, we are to lift our friends as well. Two tangible ways to do this are: one, lift them in prayer to Jesus; and two, elevate them—lift them up with your words and your actions.
In your friendships this week, seek to listen well, laugh a little, and lift your friends in prayer. You will be a treasure in the eyes of your friends.
Becky Harling
http://www.identitynetwork.net/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&url=10&view=post&articleid=Calming-Anxiety-in-An-Uncertain-World-by-Becky-Harling-&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
Have you ever felt unsure about which decision to make? Or perhaps you feel fearful that the decisions you have made weren't the best. You play out the options in your mind, but you feel paralyzed—stuck and unable to move forward. Maybe you've lain in bed at night, concerned about the future. You've played over scenarios in your mind, trying to come up with the perfect solution. Uncertainty is all around us. Although we live in an information-overloaded culture, we're not benefiting. It seems that though there's more advice than ever, we're more uncertain than ever. Instead, we're growing in weariness and overwhelm.
http://www.identitynetwork.net/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&url=10&view=post&articleid=5-Questions-to-Ask-Before-You-Enter-2026-by-Becky-Harling-&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
The week before New Year's Day is a holy week for me personally. I have developed practices over the years to position my heart in the right place before I enter a new chapter of life. Just as I want to give thoughtful attention to closing a chapter well and opening the next one effectively when I'm writing, I also want to do the same in my life journey. One of the practices I have developed is to read through the book of Isaiah. As I read, I listen for God's invitations to me personally. Isaiah is such a great book because it encompasses the entire gospel and God's desires for us as His people.
http://www.identitynetwork.net/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&url=10&view=post&articleid=Believing-the-Promise-of-Immanuel-by-Becky-Harling-&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
My house is decorated. The tree is up, and the lights are hung. Oh, how I love this season! However, it's easy to forget that the season of Advent is about waiting well for Immanuel. Seasons of waiting can feel lonely. They raise questions in our hearts about whether or not God is really listening to our prayers. As I've been thinking about waiting, I've been studying Luke 1. I'm intrigued by the relationship between Elizabeth and Mary in their season of waiting. Each could have felt lonely for many reasons, but in their waiting, God led them to one another.
