Creating Genuine Community

Think about a community. A community filled with friends. Friends of a different backgrounds
and upbringings. Despite their differences the love of God is moving creating genuine joy. These
people have your heart because God is with each one of y’all. Now think about that same
community being struck by affliction. Pain, anger, and sorrow is trying to take place were joy
once was. This is how I feel right now about some of my friendships. People I truly love our
suffering and I am seeing how God is moving.
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Currently in a few of my friendship I have found that God is asking me to be present.The enemy
is trying to rip away their identity away. Recently in one of my friend groups, a fellow
acquaintance has passed away due to suicide. So many of my friends are left heartbroken.
Questioning the reason behind it all and why life was rip away from us. I have found that I have
no answer to their questions. I can’t find the right words. All I can do is be there as they grieve.
When I feel the pain of one situation sinking in another sinks in. One of my best friends family is
preparing for the lost of a loved one because the doctors have given a couple weeks to her
uncle's life.

Two verses that The Lord has shown to me is Philemon 1:12 and Psalm 25:14
Philemon 1:12 says “I am sending him back to you I am sending my very own heart.”

I feel like this is exactly where my heart is and what my heart is feeling. Whenever affliction occurs tell The Lord these words that loved one that friend is your heart and you are giving it all over to God. My heart has and is crying out to My Heavenly Father. I am asking him to show himself. I am
crying out to Him and I know He hears me. I have seen these couple weeks that he is showing
himself in comfort of the Holy Spirit. Life will be hard, It will try to break us. That is one reason
why God wants us to have community/friendships.

Psalms 25:14 says “The friendship of Jehovah is with them that fear him; and He will show them his covenant.”

This psalm is how we should walk in our faith and show it in our friendships.
When we see pain in our friends and experience empathy we should remember God’s promises
and know our gifts. That helping hand, Loving hug,Comforting voice, The words you needed to
here, or maybe just being present in these times. We have a God who will deliver them. When
life is given a time frame always say BUT GOD. God is in control.

Let us be a symbol of His hope in the brokeness. Do not let pain define your life because, God
has something good for you. In the pain take comfort in God. Find a community or friendship
that can uplift you and hold your hand during the hard times. Remember Philemon 1:12 “ I am
sending him back to you I am sending my very own heart” . That is your heart is pure and God
sees that. I believe God will show himself to you in these times just press on. Remember the
truth of your identity. You are loved,chosen,set apart, and redeemed. The enemy hates those
facts and will try to steal your joy. Psalms 25:14 says” The friendship of Jehovah is with them
that fear him; and He will show them his covenant.” God will always keep his promises. You are
blessed and will be blessed. Speak these truths in your life daily

Written by : Emmanuelle 

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