Break Through the Roof
- Michelle Stepp
- Apr 12
- 3 min read
“Your faith can help your friends when theirs may be weak or nonexistent. Do not underestimate the power of community.”
“While Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, but whenever he put his hand down, Amalek prevailed. When Moses’s hands grew heavy, they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat down on it. Then Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other so that his hands remained steady until the sun went down. So Joshua defeated Amalek and his army with the sword.” Exodus 17:11-13 (CSB)
We were not created to live life on our own (Genesis 2:18). We need other brothers and sisters in Christ to help us in our walk as disciples. We are called to love, encourage, comfort, and support others around us. Second Corinthians 1:3-4 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God." First Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.”
Comfort and encouragement are vital in the life of a believer, and even more so during seasons of suffering. I have struggled with depression and anxiety my entire life. There were times during particular episodes I would not have gotten through without the support of friends and family. Whether it was a kind word, a meal, or driving me to and from treatment, they were holding my hands up, like Aaron and Hur did for Moses, when I had no strength to do so on my own.
Community is difficult to find, but once you have people in your life who stand beside you while you walk through valleys, hold on to those people and don’t let them go. Friendships grow stronger and deeper much quicker when someone is experiencing suffering, rather than going through life without any difficulties.
In Mark 2:1-12 we read the story of a paralytic who was lowered through the roof of a house Jesus was teaching in. The four friends of the paralytic wanted to get him to Jesus, but the crowd was too big to reach him. So in their desperation, they broke through the roof to quite literally lay him before the feet of Jesus. Verse 5 says, “Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Jesus acknowledges not only the faith of the paralytic, but the faith of the friends. Your faith can help your friends when theirs may be weak or nonexistent. Do not underestimate the power of community.
May we be the type of friend who will break through a roof for the people we love to get in front of Jesus..
Faith Follow-Through:
This week, take some time to grow in motherhood and faith:
Tuesday:
Reflect on the people in your life who have shown the love and care of Christ during your times of suffering. Thank the Lord for them. If you have not experienced these types of friendships, ask the Lord to provide people in your life who will help you.
Wednesday:
Pray for your friends who are suffering and enduring hardship currently. What can you do today to provide encouragement and support to your community?
Thursday:
Write a card of encouragement or thanks for someone you prayed for the past two days.
Written by Michelle, mom of 1
