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Key Bible Verse: Share each other's troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2). Bonus Reading: Ecclesiastes 4:9–12

After returning to his hotel in the evening, a man turned on the TV and scanned the movie menu. Lonely and bored, he thought about ordering a pornographic film.

He hesitated. If he caved in to this temptation, he'd have to report it to the men in the small accountability group he'd joined. Not want-ing to betray his own standards—or have to confess a moral lapse—he picked up the phone instead of the remote control and dialed one of the group's members.

Upon hearing his voice, the man's friend quickly asked, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," he said, "I just needed to know you were there for me."

Many Christian men today are linking themselves with other men who can support them and hold them accountable as they make daily decisions. This sort of transpar- ency is intimidating. But keeping our problems private makes us feel weird and ashamed, wrongly believing no one else is like us. Opening up to others helps us overcome that lonely feeling we have when we struggle. It provokes us to measure up, providing the kind of support the apostle Paul had in mind in [today's Key Bible Verse].

—Charles Sell in HomeLife

My Response: Have I tried to tough out my problems single-handedly? Am I willing to start seeking support?

Adapted from HomeLife (1/03) by permission.

Prayer for the Week

Lord, help me to be there for other men, and to honestly admit I need them to be there for me.

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