A few years ago, I spent many weeks battling pneumonia, the flu, bronchitis, and a relapse of pneumonia. I’m appreciative of the many friends who went the extra mile during this challenging time to minister to me in my time of need. Maybe you’re not sure how to help someone in the midst of a crisis. Often, when we don’t know what to do, we do nothing at all. Read more as I share ways we can be the hands and feet of Jesus and offer meaningful support when we have a friend who is sick. One thing I know for certain is #wearebettertogether!
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“I trust this morning you are feeling much better!” were the words that greeted me via a text from a friend. Unsure of how to respond, I waited. Strangely enough, that text did not encourage or lift my spirits as I’m sure it was intended. It also didn’t give me much opportunity to provide an honest response.
You see, I wasn’t feeling any better. In fact, I was feeling even worse and had just returned from yet another visit to the doctor to find out that that not only was my originally diagnosed pneumonia not improving, but I had also picked up the flu somewhere along the way.
I was normally a very healthy woman. I saw the doctor once a year for well-check visits. WELL-CHECK…not sick visits. I ate right. I exercised regularly. And I never missed work because I was ill. I was used to being the doctor for my patients.
Yet somehow, this time, even I succumbed. Before all was said and done, I spent nine weeks battling pneumonia, the flu, bronchitis, and a relapse of pneumonia. The doctor put me on several weeks of mandatory bed rest. Even then it took much longer than that before my lungs returned to complete health, and longer still to regain my full strength and stamina.
Help a friend who is sick by being sensitive to their needs
For one who was used to doing, being active, and being the encourager for others, it was not only physically difficult being ill, but emotionally painful being secluded from others. Some friends and family prayed and checked in with me almost daily—that was the greatest gift. It let me remain connected despite my inability to get up or out.
Others came to our home and brought meals, yet showed sensitivity to our needs and didn’t linger and stay. They knew I was tired, and breathing was effortful enough—talking and breathing at the same time was more than I could handle. Their sensitivity to that factor was priceless.
Help a sick friend by being the hands and feet of Jesus
One dear friend dropped everything without any advance notice to take me to the medical center for emergency care when I couldn’t reach my own family and I was left at home without a vehicle. I found out later that she had her own crisis issues going on, yet she became the very tangible hands and feet of Jesus when her sister in Christ needed help.
Yet some who I thought might show care or concern, responded with comments that suggested they truly didn’t understand or perhaps didn’t want to be inconvenienced. One friend messaged, “Doing well today, friend?” but her question stifled my answer because I knew what the “right” answer was, the acceptable answer. The implied message was that she didn’t really have the time or desire to hear if my answer was anything but “yes.”
My whole bout with this illness left me pondering just how we are to reach out to those in need. My first thought was of the Samaritan man. He was one who took the time to stop. He took the time to care. He took the time to be inconvenienced, even when others hadn’t.
And the more I thought about some who really impacted my life during my most painful, most lonely days, the more I thought about the friends who went to the extreme effort of lowering their sick friend down through the roof to ensure that their friend would get to Jesus. I had friends who kept their phones by them at night in case I had a breathing crisis and needed someone to pray; friends who prayed Scripture over me; friends who brought meals when they realized I was ill and then realized I had relapsed and remained ill and kept the meals coming. I had friends who took the time to regularly check in with me to see how I was, and encourage my heart.
“There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24 NLT)
During the hardest times in life, we are given not only the responsibility but also the privilege of being the hands and feet of Jesus to minister to others in their need.
So often, we don’t know what to do to help another, so we do nothing at all. In part 2 of this post, I’ll give practical ways we can extend help to a friend in need.
In the comments below, I’d love to hear your thoughts regarding ways others have been the hands and feet of Jesus to you when you were in need. Your comments just may be the solution someone else is needing!
Because of Him, #HopePrevails!

Every day can be a good day when you trust the promises of God.
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Perhaps the biggest blessing I’ve received is having those friends with which I can have those very open and honest, gut-wrenching, ugly-cry conversations with; those friends who can lift you up with their words, their prayers, their hugs, their friendship, whether they are right next to you or hours away; those friends who can whisper truth, ask questions that make you think, and aren’t afraid to tell you things you need to hear (and those are the friends I’m more open to hearing things from because I know their heart is in the right place). I’m very thankful for these friends in my life; SO glad God placed them in my life ‘for such a time as this’. I don’t know what I’d do without them! <3
Pam, the friends that you describe are treasured friends indeed! If you have friends like that in your life, hold close to them, for you are a blessed woman!!
I can’t wait for part 2!! xo, liz
Be on the lookout tomorrow Liz! And let us know if you have other practical ways to help out. We are truly #BetterTogether!
My reply just got deleted………….
You have been through SO MUCH in recent times and I know you are still not out the other side.
Some hold back from being ” involved’ because their own load of care is all they can carry…………..what we need at such times is a friend who knows how to PRAY that Jesus is closer to you than ever before, and friends who will choose to enter in and let you be REAL.
My prayer is that I would be a GOOD friend, the kind you can rely on.
Even if all I am saying is not helping, you know I am praying that in my inadequacy, He would be adequate!!
Looking forward to part 2.
what a great way to look at help both for you and for the other I look forward to reading part 2
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A listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, holding my hand and praying for me, these were some very precious and appreciated friends.
Others gave practically, and their giving, while different, is also valuable — some gave furniture, some clothing, and a couple gave money at Christmas, knowing I didn’t have any extra for gifts for the children.
These all made my load lighter during a burdensome time of my life. They brought light to the darkness, and their gifts bring back happy memories from a time of sadness.
I’m so sorry you’ve been ill! I can’t imagine suffering weeks only to relapse. Especially when you are normally active and healthy. Hard mentally and physically. The folks at our church where the hands and feet of Christ after the birth of my son. The meals were delivered and the visits brief, all out of respect for us. It remains a treasure in my heart.
I’m so sorry you were so ill you needed bedrest. I’ve had my share of illnesses that left me incapacitated from losing a daughter during pregnancy, to multiple surgeries and bedrest from Rheumatoid Arthritis. I think my own experiences have helped my empathy towards others who are sick. Many times others refuse my physical offers to help but I either do them anyway or at least call to lend an ear and check in. I know the physical symptoms are hard to recover from but it’s the toll on the patient’s mental health that can have a lasting impact.
Thanks for sharing with Small Victories Sunday Linkup. Pinning to our linkup board and hope you found some great posts to visit this week!
Many years ago I had Infectious Hepatitis so spent 5 weeks basically in quarantine from all but my immediate family. I was so sick. My children and my husband took great care of me but after a week, my husband had to go back to work. Our church group, all seniors, provided a meal for us every evening. We had a bench on our porch and they would leave the dishes on the porch at a certain time and the children would bring the dishes into the house. Then when my husband got home, he would fix a plate for each of us. This went on for 5 weeks every day. Oh this was such a wonderful blessing. The children were old enough that they could warm something for lunch. They made the best meatloaf sandwiches. Meatloaf was a favorite for me and eating was not easy for several weeks as I was so sick. We will never forget the kindness of all those seniors. They loved us and we loved them and they gave very practical help when it was needed so desperately. Thank you so much for sharing this!! Just as applicable today 3 years later as when you were so ill. Love and appreciate you so much!