Thank You for Being a Friend, July 18
Written by David Gira
“Two are better than one … if either of them falls down, one can help the other up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9 NIV).
Cancer is not a do-it-yourself project. You need lots of people. Doctors, nurses, and caregivers are obvious. Then, there is a church community to wrap its arms around you and lift you up, your family’s support, and—more than ever before—you need your friends.
The book of Ecclesiastes is full of wisdom for Godly living. In chapter four, the writer contrasts those who live alone with those who have friends:
Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
(Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NIV)
Cancer reveals the importance of friends like nothing else can. When cancer knocks you down, friends can help you up. With their support, you can stay on your feet and fight! When cancer causes you to feel cold and lonely, a friend’s love and concern can warm your heart. When the disease tries to tear you apart, your friends can wrap around you and keep you from unraveling.
Hopefully, you will be pleasantly surprised by the number of caring friends who reach out to you. Beware, this may include some people you did not want to hear from again! You may also lose some friends to cancer. Some might find it too hard to be around someone who is sick or even dying.
Whatever your situation may be, thank God for the friends you have. Be open to their offers to love and help you. Avoid being too proud or afraid to ask or receive. Call your friends, even if you just need to talk.
If a friend hurt you in the past, try to forgive them. Life is too short and difficult for anger and resentment. Maybe you have fallen short in the friendship department. Perhaps there are people important to you who you have pulled back since your diagnosis. Are there friends with whom you have lost touch? Reach out. Reconnect. Try also to be open to making new friends. Now is a great time for you to be a great friend.
No matter how many friends you have, moments will come when you feel alone. Whatever happens, remember you always have a friend in God. He’s your most important and very best friend. God is your BFF! The Bible tells us Abraham was “a friend of God” (see 2 Chronicles 20:7, Isaiah 41:8, and James 2:23). You are a friend of God, too!
Jesus Christ is God’s Son, our Lord and Savior, our healer, our everything. He’s also our friend! He said this to His disciples: “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends” (John 15:15 NIV). Like a faithful friend, Jesus promises to be there for you and to help you in any way.
Pray: Lord, thank You for my friends. Bless them as they have blessed me. Cancer is far too difficult to endure alone. Thank You for being my very best friend. Amen.
Your Turn: So many amazing songs have been written about friendship. “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” sung by Aretha Franklin is a gift. And who can forget “Thank You for Being a Friend” from “The Golden Girls” TV show? Thank God for being your friend, and for all the friends He’s given you.
Michael David Gira, Jr., Cancer Survivor
David was an ordained United Methodist Pastor and graduate of Duke Divinity School. He and his wife, Amy, lived in Raleigh, North Carolina with their three children. In 2017 he was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. In his book, How Cancer Cured Me, he shares many ways he experienced God’s healing. After a 7 year battle with cancer, David is now joyously singing praises in God’s glorious throne room. His legacy lives on through his writing for Cancer Companions, as he continues to proclaim Christ’s hope and healing power to others experiencing cancer. https://www.davidgira.com/how-cancer-cured-me
Cancer Companion’s vision for the future is for every person impacted by cancer to know the hope, love, and grace of Jesus and that every oncology team has included faith in their treatment toolbox. By 2033, Cancer Companions will provide 5 million engagements through cancer prayers, scriptures and interactions to those impacted by cancer. Engagements include; social media outreach, e-newsletters, prayer team requests, 30 days of Cancer Prayer event, and volunteer connections.
To learn more about our ministry and the services we provide visit our website by clicking here.
