Think of a good friend. Who in your life has shown up really well for you? Chances are, they've stuck by you even through some messy times. When life gets hard, you need people who will keep showing up over and over again. Better friends endure.

To endure means to suffer patiently. In other words, enduring looks like putting one foot in front of the other over and over again, counting on what God will do next.

Romans 5:3 in the Message version says, "There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!"

The reality is that everyone is facing some sort of challenge, and hardship around us is an opportunity for transformation within us. Hardship forges relationships when you double down in your commitment to one another.

Think of a time you've had to endure a challenge. Did you endure alone? Enduring well can be a story of suffering patiently with others, putting one foot in front of the other over and over again, counting on what God will do next. These stories of endurance can help those around you in the midst of patient suffering!

Often, people don't expect you to be the fix-all solution to their mess, even if you might expect that of yourself. Being a better friend doesn't mean having all the answers or solutions, but rather enduring with, showing up for, and being a patient presence.

How can you show up really well in the lives of people around you when life gets hard?

So, here are 5 ways to be a friend that endures well together:

What's your story of endurance? Maybe it's happened already, and maybe you're going through it right now. Think of someone you can encourage with your story of counting on a faithful God!
Is there someone in your life who needs you to show up well? Identify that person and double down on your commitment to one another!
Do you need to find people who can endure alongside you? Find community and dive deeper by discovering what God has to say through a Discover class!
Practice suffering patiently by gathering your people and listening well to what God has to say during a hardship you or your people are enduring together!
God is the perfect example of friendship that endures. Rally your people and discover what God has to say about friendship that endures in Acts 16:22-34 (DBS/NLT link).

How might enduring well together make you a better friend to those around you?

5 Ways To Be A Better Friend When Life Gets Hard