Sometimes, life gets to the point where it feels like you just can’t take one more thing going wrong. Unplanned and unforeseen issues land on you relentlessly one after the other, the stresses and strains pile up, and soon it begins to feel like you’re just rolling with the punches, almost expecting the next problem. Come on, life, give it your best shot! Is that all you’ve got? Hit me again!

For me, this year has been one such year. There have been moments where it’s felt like each time I’ve begun to breathe, something else has come along to knock the wind out of me. Now, some of the challenges I’ve had to negotiate have been practical in nature, which makes them relatively easy to rationalise: it’s not the end of the world; there are far worse problems in life; it could be much worse; I still have a lot to be thankful for. All of which is true. And all of which can combine to make me feel guilty for daring to admit that I’m finding it tough.

At these times, there are two things we need in particular.

We need friends. Not friends who will tell us to snap out of it or try to convince us that everything’s OK. Friends who will be a consistent, loving presence alongside us; friends who will listen when we want to rant, moan or let off steam without trying to squeeze us into any particular mould; friends who will gently and lovingly bear us up and encourage us. Many people know what it is to try to be such friends to others, but allowing ourselves to receive this kind of loving friendship is, strangely, often much more difficult, because… well, because that means admitting that we’re struggling and can’t make it on our own.

And we need to hear the words and the heart of Jesus, who is the friend who sticks closer than a brother. When I come to him, struggling under the weight of life, these are the words I most often hear him say – which I guess means these are the words I most need not only to hear but to receive in the deep places of my tired heart:

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
(Matthew 11:28-30)