Counsel from a wise friend...

Proverbs 17:17 says that a friend loves at all times. I experienced that kind of loving friendship today. Last night I emailed a friend and told her how I was hurting. She immediately replied, not with rambling words and clichés but with the promise to pray for me right then and there. She wrote again today with wise words, carefully chosen and spoken, that immediately helped relieve the pain and anger and move me towards healing. She also gave me a list of verses from the Bible that she wanted to encourage me with - and also the promise to keep praying.

This is the kind of friend I want to be to others - loving at all times and taking the time to be loving.

Psalm 34:18
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 71:3
Be my rock of refuge,
to which I can always go;
give the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.

Romans 5:3
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance.

1 Peter 5:10
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

Psalm 66:8-10
Praise our God, O peoples,
let the sound of his praise be heard;
He has preserved our lives
and kept our feet from slipping.
For you, O God, tested us;
you refined us like silver.

Psalm 17:7-9
Show the wonder of your great love,
you who save by your right hand
those who take refuge in you from their foes.

Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings

From the wicked who assail me,
from my mortal enemies who surround me.

Exodus 3:14
God said to Moses, "I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.' "

Psalm 20:7,8
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

They are brought to their knees and fall,
but we rise up and stand firm.

Psalm 31:14-17
But I trust in you, O LORD;
I say, "You are my God."

My times are in your hands;
deliver me from my enemies
and from those who pursue me.

Let your face shine on your servant;
save me in your unfailing love.

Let me not be put to shame, O LORD,
for I have cried out to you;
but let the wicked be put to shame
and lie silent in the grave.

Psalm 71:3
Be my rock of refuge,
to which I can always go;
give the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.

Psalm 68:17, 19-20
The chariots of God are tens of thousands
and thousands of thousands;
the Lord has come from Sinai into his sanctuary.

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,
who daily bears our burdens.

Our God is a God who saves;
from the Sovereign LORD comes escape from death.

Isaiah 54:17
No weapon forged against you will prevail,
and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.
This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD,
and this is their vindication from me,"
declares the LORD.

Psalm 35:1-3
Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me;
fight against those who fight against me.
Take up shield and buckler;
arise and come to my aid.
Brandish spear and javelin
against those who pursue me.
Say to my soul,
"I am your salvation."

And the ones she highly recommended: Psalm 91:1, 4-5
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,

...and Psalm 91:1
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.