The Men of Iron Minute

by Steve Glick | Director of Marketing Strategy

Staying Strong in Faith and Friendship

Hard times are inevitable; we all face them. Over the past several months, I’ve been close to people going through some of the most difficult seasons of their lives. I’ve spent time with them, listened, and tried to truly understand what they’re going through. And more often than not, I’ve realized that what they needed most was simply someone to listen.

As men, our instinct is to try and jump in and fix things. But that can leave people feeling overwhelmed and unheard. Lately, I’ve felt convicted about that.

I’m quick to offer solutions, but I rarely take the time to listen deeply and reflect before giving advice.

A good friend of mine is in the middle of one of the hardest seasons of his life. He’s handled it better than most would, yet it’s still a constant struggle. We’ve spent hours over coffee talking through it all. My heart aches for him, but I know my role is to support him, hold him accountable, and help him stay strong through it.

The other day, he sent me a text asking for prayer. He was having a really hard day. My gut reaction was to tell him, “Just stay strong. Keep pushing forward.” But something inside urged me to pause and simply listen. So I set aside my instinct to react and decided to wait and listen for God’s direction.

‘”Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

In that moment I felt the need to send that verse to my friend. Our lies are filled with uncertainty and challenges, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by worry and fear. But as believers, we believe that there is a source of peace and comfort available to us, even in the midst of our storms.

One of the most powerful tools we have as Christians in dealing with anxiety is prayer.

As powerful as prayer is in difficult circumstances, it’s just as important to have a friend walking alongside you. Willing to listen and offer their perspective and wisdom.

In the end, life’s challenges are unavoidable, and sometimes the best support we can offer is simply being present and listening.

SUBSCRIBE | WATCH OR LISTEN TO THE PODCAST

Anchoredman Bootcamp, perfect for your men’s small group! This 5-part video series will give you the basic skills you need to better connect with God. Find out more!