January 15, 2004
When All You Can Do Is Pray
Every now and then you run across a person who is willing to open up about their deepest personal struggles. We all have them in varying degrees, (struggles, that is), but many of us are unwilling to allow others into that inner circle where the struggle rages.
This past year I met a woman who was willing. She shared her deepest struggles and secrets with me, and all she asked in return was my friendship. That was easy enough.
But, as events began to unfold in her life, I realized the struggle was more than it appeared--it was a stronghold of the enemy. Suddenly I realized my dear friend's very life was at stake.
Because I have dealt with strongholds myself, because God was gracious to me and brought me back from the 'desert' of despair, I was willing to go with my friend, to walk through this desert with her. But recently, instead of continuing to 'walk,' my friend decided to 'sit down'. Then she turned around altogether. Now, instead of going through the desert, she has returned to her 'Egypt'--the place of bondage that will be her ultimate downfall. Indeed it may even take her very life.
I told her the truth a few days ago (as I always try to do)--something all real friends should do. I told her of the potential ramifications of actively going back to the bondage. I told her it could very well cost her her life. I held up the mirror of reality so she could see (or be reminded of) how that action would affect those in her life who love her--namely her husband and children.
Likewise, I told her of the incredible possibilities that lay ahead for her should she choose to do the right thing before God. I laid out the path of victory for her, complete with confirmation that those most horrible circumstances in her life right now could someday become unrecognizable to her--that her very life as it is now, with all it's pain and misery, could become utterly and completely unrecognizable to her.... But then I told her what few of us like to hear: the choice was hers to make. This choice--to go back to bondage or to go forward in God's grace was for her and her alone to make. No one can make it for her.
As of yesterday afternoon, my friend made her choice. She chose Egypt. She chose pain for herself and everyone she cares about. She chose misery, hopelessness, fear, and possibly even death.
My heart breaks for my friend and for all who love her. But the choice was hers and she made it with full knowledge of the potential risks. I have prayed for this friend more or less daily for I don't know how long, and I will continue to pray for her.
...Sometimes that's all we can do.