FRIDAY FIVE: When Life Hits Hard, Who’s Holding You Up?

“Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble.” — Job 14:1 (ESV)

Life is a fight. From the moment we enter this world, hardship is guaranteed. No man walks through life unscathed. At some point, trouble comes knocking, and when it does, you need more than just your own strength, you need brothers in your corner.

As we wrap up our deep dive into Romans, Paul leaves us with a message that hits home for every man:

“We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.” — Romans 15:1–2 (ESV)

The scriptures throughout the New Testament church reveal that the God’s people thrived because it wasn’t a solo mission—it was built on brotherhood. Men leaned on each other in struggles, victories, and everything in between. But too often today, we let pride, ego, or fear of judgment keep us isolated. We suffer in silence, pushing away the very men God placed in our lives to lift us up.

Here’s the truth: Isolation is a killer. It makes the weak even weaker and robs the strong of their responsibility to lead. You might be thriving today—work is good, your faith is strong, and life feels solid—but as sure as you were born of a woman, life has a way of life-ing and humbling every man. When your season of struggle comes, you’ll need someone to remind you of who you are, what you’re made of, and that God is still in control. His intentions for your life are still the same, regardless of what may be going on around you.

When we’re in the trenches, it’s easy to only see what’s going wrong. Hardship warps our vision. That’s why you need brothers who refuse to let you sink—men who will widen your perspective, remind you that storms don’t last forever, and point you back to the God who has never left His throne.

Paul knew that the strength of the faith community rested on men who were willing to carry each other. This isn’t just about friendship, it’s about survival.

The Warrior’s Support: A Lesson from Moses

Remember Moses and Joshua? Joshua was out fighting the battle, and as long as Moses kept his hands raised, the Israelites were winning. But Moses grew weary. His arms got heavy. And when they dropped, the enemy started gaining ground.

That’s when Aaron and Hur stepped in. They didn’t judge Moses for getting tired. They didn’t tell him to “man up” and push through. No, they held up his arms until the battle was won.

That’s the picture of real brotherhood. No matter how strong you think you are, some fights are too big to face alone. Every man needs brothers who see him struggling and don’t criticize—but step in and lift him up.

The Greatest Example: Jesus and His Inner Circle

Even Jesus, the Son of God, didn’t walk alone. He came to serve, but He also allowed His disciples to serve Him. That exchange deepened their relationship, and it’s the same for us.

Real friendships aren’t built on surface-level talk. They’re forged in the fire—through shared battles, open scars, and mutual strength. Brotherhood is knowing that the men around you see your flaws, your wounds, and your weaknesses—but they still stand beside you.

Be That Man

Brothers, every man needs an Aaron or a Hur. Someone who will tell you the truth when you’re off course but will go to war for you when you’re standing in the right.

And I know this might make some of you uncomfortable, but I’m going to say it anyway—be vulnerable. Yeah, I said it. Let your brothers see the real you. Let them see the scars.

And when you see another man struggling—don’t overlook him. Step in. Help him mend his wounds and walk with him on the road to healing. Men, this is how we win.

Now, go be that man for someone else.

Scripture references for this week’s Blog

Exodus 17:10–13

[10] So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. [11] Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. [12] But Moses’ hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. [13] And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword. (ESV)

I Peter: 2:17

17] Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. (ESV)

1 Thessalonians 4:9–10

[9] Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, [10] for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more… (ESV)