Caring for One Another: 8 Ways to Cultivate Meaningful Relationships

by Edward T. Welch

Here is a general rule: the more you understand a person’s physical weaknesses, the more patient you will be with that person.

We could think of it as being invited into his home, where he speaks openly and with love, and he offers the best of divine hospitality. All that is almost too much to take in, but then he invites us to speak of what is important to us, and as we speak, he is engaged, undistracted, and responsive.

We enjoy others and the good things they have received:

We also enjoy them and the good things that come out of their hearts:

We have compassion as we share in their burdens and sufferings:

We “rejoice with those who rejoice, [and] weep with those who weep” (Rom. 12:15) because doing so reflects the character of God.

Meanwhile, you are always listening for what is most important. You are listening for her affections, her emotions.

As you read Scripture you notice passages that can guide how you pray for her. You tell her about these passages

Hardships are unique. No two forms of suffering are identical.

they complained against him, which is a way of holding him in contempt;

when life is hard we trust what our senses tell us more than what God says.

After humanity’s many failures in the wilderness, our champion took over where we had failed.

When trouble comes, we can be certain that we will hear Satan’s lies that raise doubts of the Lord’s generosity, love, and truthfulness.

Since our King was led into destitute places, we can be sure that we too, who follow the King, will be taken into hardships.

This question is hard to answer, but we know this: the Father loved his perfect Son, who went through the worst of suffering and shame, so he certainly loves us who are joined to his Son by faith.

Though it might not identify the precise nature of our wilderness, once we identify our specific struggles as suffering, God’s Word says a lot.

The Son suffered, and those who follow the Son will suffer (1 Pet. 4:12).

Expect to get to know God better while in this wilderness (Phil. 3:10–11).

Live by faith; see the unseen (Heb. 11:1). Normal eyesight is not enough. Your eyes will tell you that God is far away and silent. The truth is that he is close—invisible, but close. He has a unique affection for fellow sufferers.

we know that we all struggle with sin, and we all need each other’s help.

We talk about our own sin and the sin of those we want to help, and we would like these conversations to be good. Not that sin itself is good, but we are actually blessed when we can see our sin.

Our goal is to contribute to a community in which it is increasingly natural to talk about sin and ask each other for help.

most of us regret not saying something.

Even our grumbling and complaining are about God. They say, “What have you done for me recently?” They hold God in contempt (Num. 14:11).

Our instinct is, after confession, to go into exile and reform ourselves so we will be acceptable to our Father.

But keep the story of the prodigal son in mind (Luke 15:11–24).