How to Encourage a Friend When You Are Far Away
- Vanerim Atilano Guadalupe
- 9 hours ago
- 4 min read
A text message came. I opened it. It wasn’t good news.
The message contained the word “cancer”. I was shocked.
My best friend’s brother was diagnosed with cancer.
My first reaction would’ve been to go over to her house and hug her. But we both live in different countries.
A phone call was the immediate solution to support her.
I called her and as we talked, calm, peace, and hope were finding their place in her heart and mine, too.
But honestly, I felt that I needed to support her in a different way. News like that isn't easy to process. I wanted to be there for her, even though we were physically separated by thousands of miles.
I looked for other ways to be a supportive, resourceful, and faithful friend during this moment of need. I began checking in on her weekly. I prayed with her over the phone. I shared information about organizations and associations that could assist her brother, her family, and her in understanding the next steps following a diagnosis such as cancer.
Have you been in a situation like this?
Maybe you have a friend who is going through a difficult time, but you both live in different countries or cities. If you don't know how you can offer support, even from a distance, here are six ways you can do so. 🙂
How to Encourage a Friend When You're Far Away
Ask How to Best Support Them
Asking in what ways you can support your friend is the best way to give the right encouragement. Sometimes we can take initiative, but what we think will work for them won’t necessarily be what they need or want. In a moment of need, ask your friend: “How can I support you in this moment?”
Connect Face to Face Through Video Calls
Having face-to-face conversations is possible, even when we are physically distant. Through FaceTime, Instagram Video Chat, Zoom, Whatsapp, and many other applications, we’re able to connect with our friends and see their reactions and body language that could provide us an idea of how they are feeling. Plan with your friend to have a video call at a time that works for both of you. You will both leave the call with your spirit full of love and hope!
Check In Regularly
Most of the trials we face in life don't pass quickly. It can take some time before a solution is found. Checking in regularly on your friend is key to helping them not lose hope.
If you’re not sure about how frequent you could check on them, kindly ask your friend if contacting them weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly is something you could do to accompany them in their process.
Pray
Prayer is the best encouragement and support tool we have as Christians. When we pray, we’re asking God for His favor and blessings in someone’s life.
If you’re not sure on how to pray for your friend, here are some options.
“God, help my dear friend in this moment of need.”
“Dear God, I beg you to lessen my friend’s pain.”
“God, bless my friend with Your incomparable peace. Let her (him) know that You’re by her (his) side.”
“God, please, ease his (her) mind and help him (her) rest tonight.”
“Dear God, You’re capable of healing the mind and the body. I present to you my friend. Bring life to her (his) spirit. Strengthen her (his) body.”
Plan a Virtual Meeting to Have Fun
Living in the technology era has many benefits. One of them is that, with a bit of creativity and our phone or computer cameras, we can create fun activities and games.
What do you think about inviting your friend to a virtual karaoke or movie night? How about cooking the same meal and eating it while talking about books, TV series, recent trips, or any other fun topic? What about sharing some pictures of any of your adventures together? There are infinite possibilities to make a virtual meeting with your friend fun!
This kind of activity will make your friend feel loved and renewed mentally and physically to keep facing whatever they’re going through.
Send a Care Package
A care package is a customized and thoughtful gift box to provide comfort, joy, or necessities to someone. Things like books, healthy snacks, comfort food, tea, self-care products, cozy socks, candles, handwritten letters, gift cards, etc. are great items for a care package.
Depending on your friend's situation, you’ll have the freedom to build the right care package for them. If you’re unsure on what to include in your gift box, you can kindly say to your friend: “I’d love to send you a little care package. Is there anything that would be especially helpful or comforting right now?”
Final Words
True friendships overcome the distance barrier. True friendships are always available to love, care, and support. Let’s always find new ways to support each other!
Take a Leap of Faith
Do you have a friend who is going through a difficult time and lives far away from you? Remind them that they're not alone. Then pray and choose one of the six ways mentioned above to show them your help and support. ♥️
Disclaimer: These are strictly the writer’s thoughts and expressions. Faith Driven Journey and its writer do not receive any commission for sharing any book, link to website, or product mentioned on posts. Every resource is shared because of its effectiveness and guidance provided to the writer or it is a recommendation from family, friends, and readers or it has great reviews on the internet, magazines, or newspaper. If any type of commission is acquired, it will be reported in the corresponding publication. Also, even though this blog is related to the Christian faith and lifestyle, it does not have any affiliation with any denomination or church.
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