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Most of us know or have heard Ecclesiastes 4:9-12:

“9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? 12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

This passage gives us some great, practical applications of why two are better than one. Often, we use this passage to talk about marriage. While that is a good application of this passage, I think it is a shame to not use this passage to talk about the importance of other relationships as well.

The truth is that all relationships are important. We were created to be in community. One of the reasons a community of believers is so important is that we encourage one another when someone is down. Sometimes the encouragement of a friend has a bigger impact on us than the encouragement of a spouse. Earlier this week I was on a phone call with a friend, and he asked how I was doing. I told him about some things that were going on and how it was a struggle dealing with them. Right there, in the midst of this phone call, he started saying a prayer for me and my family! It was the best encouragement!

God has given us a wonderful community to be part of. The problem is, we don’t always use this community as a way to encourage each other. If you are struggling in any way, call someone. Ask them to pray for you. If you know someone who is struggling, call them and pray for them. We need each other! That’s one of the reasons that God gave us the Church.