Friendships can involve risk.

One day while Jesus was teaching in someone’s home, word spread of His presence and a crowd formed. Soon the house became so filled that no one outside could see or hear Jesus (except for a paralyzed man with friends who tore through the roof to get in). The story of the man being let down through the rafters is often mentioned to illustrate “faith-in-action”:

“When Jesus saw their faith, He said, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”” – Mark 2:5 NKJV

The friends were obviously determined to see the Lord, but they had no guarantee He would heal their friend. It’s easy to forget that people in scripture (like those mentioned in Mark chapter 2) didn’t know the outcome beforehand. For all they knew they were risking exposure to ridicule, failure, and misunderstanding, but “Jesus saw their faith”. He knew their motive was to help a friend, not to make a scene or become famous as party-crashers.

Is fear preventing you from doing or saying something regarding a friend? If the motive and timing are both right, take courage and prayerfully go forward. If either of them aren’t, then wait, continue to pray, and trust the Lord’s leading.