One writer observed a mother walking with a small handicapped child whose both legs were in braces. He was having a difficult time but his mother was right there with him encouraging him at every step.

“That’s great! You’re doing splendidly,” she kept repeating.

“I want to run,” the boy called.

“Very well, try it,” his mother encouraged enthusiastically. As he did, he tripped and almost fell and would have except his mother was right there beside him and caught him so he wouldn’t hurt himself. “You did fine,” she said again, “and next time you will do even better.”

God, too, knows our limitations. He sees our brokenness and doesn’t expect us to be able to make it alone. He knows we can’t run with a broken leg. He also knows we can’t live the Christian life without help and encouragement. He wants us to know that he is right there beside us to encourage us to keep trying, to keep growing, and to become stronger.

God also knows that we need supporting friends to encourage us, to help keep us on track, and to keep us accountable—as none of us can make it alone.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, help me to be an encouraging and supporting friend to the people You bring into my life. And help me not to be too proud or afraid to ask for help when I need a friend to lean on. And thank You that I can always ask for and receive Your help as needed. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus’s name, amen.”

1. Hebrews 10:25 (NIV).