Support – Part 1

I noticed this picture in the prayer chapel and it inspired a thought –

Here is a closer image:

An arch (as shown in the firepit above) is a very strong structure as long as each brick is in place and supporting its portion of the load. But if you remove just one brick, the arch will fall. That brings us to our verse for the day which is from 1 Thessalonians 5:11:

“So, continue encouraging each other and building each other up.”

If we compare our lives to an arch, we can start to think about the critical bricks that hold things together for us. These might include:

  • Relationship with God
  • Relationships with others
  • Healthy nutrition
  • Exercise
  • Quality sleep
  • Meaningful work
  • Stress management

We can probably think of many other examples, but for today we’ll focus on our relationship with others.

Our “arch” is strongest when we are supported by the following individuals, in order of importance:

  • Immediate family
  • Extended family and closest friends
  • Other friends and acquaintances

Although we know our arch is strongest when we maintain quality relationships with those closest to us, sometimes it’s easiest to ignore these individuals or even hurt them. So, as a starting point, we can think through the needs of our closest relationships and focus our energies there. What are their love languages? Where can we provide the most support and encouragement? As these relationships are strengthened, our arch is strengthened.

And maybe you have a weak or missing brick in your arch that really needs a lot of work. If so, like every other difficult challenge, there is one proven way to start thinking about the solution – go to God in prayer and ask Him for miraculous healing. And as you ask Him for guidance, focus only on the ideal scenario and don’t slip back into old ways of thinking. These old ruts are the devil’s way of trying to pull you back because he hates it when strained relationships are healed. If you are giving it to God, really give it to God and focus only on the perfect solution you know he can create.

As you start this exercise, a good first step is to think through the prioritized list above and review each relationship. Which ones are strong? Which ones need work? Which ones need a miracle? And sometimes, when we think about strengthening our own arch, the first thing we really need to do is consider how we can help strengthen others’ arches first.

Here are a few questions to help us think more about today’s topic –

Questions:

  1. Do you agree that our arch is strongest when we maintain the high-quality relationships with those closest to us?
  2. What are some reasons it is easiest to ignore or even hurt those closest to us?
  3. Do you have any examples of bricks in your life that you’ve repaired that helped strengthen your arch?
  4. Why is it so important not to let yourself slip back into old ways of thinking once you’ve asked God to help heal a damaged relationship? In other words, why are old ruts so harmful?
  5. Do you agree that some missing/damaged bricks can only be replaced or repaired by starting with prayer? Why or why not?

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