Before The Cock Crows: In Praise Of Adversity.
Matthew 26
KJV
34+ Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
It is through adversity that true friends are known! Peter failed his friend and Master the moment he was needed most. When Jesus told Peter this, he was, in effect, telling him that “ your test of loyalty is about to happen, and you will fail!”
And who said many have not suffered a similar fate in the hands of some who professed they know or love them?
Beloved, it is not all who surround us who love let alone care about us, these people are revealed through adversity. In our darkest hour, who do we have standing by us?
Here is where adversities are of benefit to us. Yes! If I have not fallen into hardship, need, physical, spiritual, emotional etc how would I know who among the many that surround me is a genuine person? ,
Adversities help us sieve the “wheat from the chaff”, the genuine from the fake, spurious, and counterfeit.
He who stands with and by you in times of adversity is your friend! A friend in need is a friend in deed! Not a friend in word. You’ll know your true friends through deeds.
So, yes send condolences, express your grief etc; but back them with deeds. A word to the wise is enough!