Some days we’re just feeling down and our soul is troubled. At every turn nothing seems to be going right and we simply need a friend to call and talk to. We don’t necessarily need him to solve our problem, but his understanding helps to brighten even our darkest days.
To be sure, friendship is one of life’s luxuries we cannot afford to live without. And all too often we attempt to do life on our own without having other men in our corner.
We put our heads down and work hard to provide for our families, do our best to love our wives well, and to be present in the lives of our kids. All as it should be. But as we pour ourselves out time and again for the sake of others we need someone who will have our backs as well.
Of course, our wives can support and encourage us in many ways. But we still need support and encouragement from other men as well. There’s a shared experience with other men that our wives simply cannot provide regardless of how grateful we are for their presence in other ways.
Sharing our mutual burdens of marriage, fatherhood, and just trying to be wise and faithful men throughout life helps us to feel less alone. While our stories are not the same, we know what it’s like trying to be a good man in this fallen and demanding world.
Calling a friend doesn’t fix everything. In fact, most of our external problems will likely remain unchanged. But the call does help to change us. The connection helps to renew our spirits and to revive our souls. And this helps us not to give into the darkness and despair, but allows us to face life with a greater sense of peace, hope, and courage instead.
Life is hard but it’s not something you have to do alone. Call a friend and share the load together.
Photo by Marília Castelli on Unsplash
