Friends would say to me, “You’re such a strong woman, you’ll get through this.”  But it wasn’t working to convince me. How could they stand there and say such words when my insides felt like mush, my heart felt broken into a million pieces and my knees were so weak I could barely stand?

They would not be saying these words if they saw how I collapsed in bed, hopelessly crying night after night. How could they possibly think I was strong?

They knew because they served the same God I did and had experienced their own painful struggles. And with the Lord’s help, they too were able to get through them.

Even though it was hard for me to believe them, I could believe the Lord when He assured me His strength is made perfect in my weakness. (II Corinthians 12:9)

I can remember telling the Lord I felt like one of those dolls you see in a box on a store shelf being held up to look as if they are standing on their own when there’s actually something in the back keeping them in the standing position. Those were the days I truly felt the strength of the Lord.

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)

In time, the Lord guided and strengthened me through the most painful struggles I experienced. He worked through family and friends to help carry the heaviest burdens.

I was reminded of all this when I recently scrolled through my social media feed. I kept noticing a pattern of prayer request after prayer request for physical healing, help in troubling situations and sadly, updates of the passing of loved ones.

As I read and commented on these prayer requests, I noticed another pattern on the feed. The pattern was a positive one filled with replies of encouragement, prayer and love. Friends came together in the time of need for each other.

Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. II Corinthians 1:4

It can be hard sometimes to let others know we are in need of prayer. Seeing my friends share their struggles and the responses they received strangely reminds me of a house being built. Piece by piece, the house comes together to build a strong dwelling place.

In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. Ephesians 2:21-22

With friends and family, we come together to help one another become the strong person the Lord says we are in Him because, we are fitly framed together.