Q3. Deserted

[wifee]

3a)We feel sad,discouragement,being let down when friends don’t stand by us,feel lonely,betrayed.We are made for relationship.We rely on companionship, fellowship, love, time spent together, support, fun, laughter, counsel, connection,and much more from friends. A true and trusted friend "deserting" us leaves a huge hole in our lives. It means grieving, and loss.

 

b)We no longer have access to the life,that meant so much for us,and this leaves avoid.We suffer great loss of benefits of hope,friendship, support&encouragement of trusted friends when they move or die,part of us dies with them.

 

c)It is good to discern carefully whom to trust,shielding ourselves from avoidable hurt&valuing greatly true christians friends&familyWe are meant for connection, though we can't trust everyone who comes into our live,

 

d)The Lord."I will never leave you or forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5, NRSV, quoting Deuteronomy 31:6)

[Jonathan Edwards]

We truly invested our time and other resources; we cared very much for individuals, but they went their own way.  It is only human to grieve: but thank God we leave our burdens with the Lord.  That is what Paul did; he knew that he had surrender to God those individuals who forsook him while he was imprisoned.

Even those who move away can off into another orbit.  Their attention go on to other things.  Typical of American culture.  Peoples'  attention and interests are fleeting. Paul knew what koinonia was all about.  He had a profound understanding of the Church as the Body of Christ: we are members of each other.   The importance of the local church was very critical in evangelistic endeavors.  So when some of his associates backslid or just ended up in heterodox doctrines; it deeply touched Apostle Paul.

Apostle Paul had firm faith in God when others forgot him; though Luke was with him, Paul knew that God alone was his high tower.

 

 

[Krissi]

I understand that God, alone, is enough, that He is with us in persecution and suffering, and, in this sense, God is sufficient. Yet we crave – tentatively – other Christians. We don’t want to be alone at the most painful times of life.

Paul felt his days were numbered; he may have known that he would be murdered. Note that at the end of this chapter Paul does NOT say that God will deliver him, but instead says – thinking forward to death? – that he would be kept safe in the kingdom of heaven. So, God’s looking after Paul included putting Paul through an excruciating death after which Paul was kept safe in heaven.

This terrifies me. As the persecution of Christians by the government increases in velocity and number, as it is now, more and more of us will be publicly executed for our faith. This is inevitable. We cannot expect God to rescue us or keep us from violent death – we can expect everlasting life on the other side of the “great divide,” however.

Paul was afraid. He didn’t want to die alone. He wanted someone to be there, someone who wouldn’t desert him but stand there, prayerfully and sympathetically. Paul felt circumstances cascading in on him – “Get here as fast as you can!” – and knew his time was short. There’s no text in the Bible that describes Paul’s death so we don’t know if Timothy arrived in time to comfort Paul. I pray Paul had the comfort of Timothy as well as people in the local Roman church.  Even today, long after the event, I find myself praying that Paul had Christians in the audience when he was tortured and then murdered. Paul was beheaded after being scourged with rods and tied down, according to church tradition. This would be difficult to watch.

Although this is not the case with all people, some of us have a sense when their our on earth is coming to a close. We feel death’s approach and even welcome it. Christians in pain, who have suffered greatly, often desire to die. People whose lives have been a never-ending struggle often desire to die. For those who have outlived friends and family, or never have been truly loved of have deeply loved by another while on earth, death can be welcomed. The very old often desire to die. So do the depressed. The beaten-down.

I believe Paul knew he was soon to die. I think, since he was relatively healthy, that he feared death, not because he feared what would happen AFTER he died – he knew he would be with Jesus, that was a certainty for him – but rather he feared the process of death. This is why he wanted Timothy and John Mark near him. Human companionship. People who loved him. People willing to watch him be tortured by the government’s goons, suffer greatly, and then, mercifully die.

[Nicolaas A.P. Mostert]

Q3. (2 Timothy 4:9-12)

Why is it so difficult when trusted friends desert us?

Because the brotherhood tie is broken. The trust that was build up over the years is is gone. Not that you put your trust in man but their was a close relationship build up.   

Why is it so difficult when they move away or die?

It feels as if there is a empty vacuum left. Before moving or dying the person was close you can actually embrace the person but now in the case of death no more touch and in the case of moving there is a distance.     

Is it better to trust no one?

Yes, and that is what the WORD also say, not to put your trust in mere man.

Who remains with Paul besides Luke? (Hint: see verse 17a).

The LORD stood with Paul.

[Clelie]

Trusted friends are part of us in the spiritual or emotional realms. There,s been good and bad sharing ,joy and sadness . This kind of relationship creates a bond that tie us together. When there is desertion or separation of any kind the feeling is like losing something that is crucial to our  soul, causing disappointment and pain and a sense of disorientation.

Yet it is given to us to live in community.We need each other to feel alive and useful with a purpose in life.But thank God is always with the lonely one. Paul knew his God was forever with him. But God is in heaven and he was on earth and he needed fellowship with human beings 

[Niyonka16]

Q3. (2 Timothy 4:9-12) Why is it so difficult when trusted friends desert us?

ANSWER: it's so hard to build trust and deep connection. Sometimes people want to connect with us and get to know us and then they vanish into thin air leaving us feeling sad, lost, and vulnerable

Genuine friends refresh us, energize us, and give

us what we need to keep going strong, they can be rare and difficult to find. Not everyone is meant to stay in our lives forever. Some friendships naturally grow apart. As the saying goes, friends come into your life either for a reason, a season or a lifetime. The best relationship we will ever have is the one we have with ourselves.

When a friend turns against you, it may feel like the end of the world, especially if this person is who you would normally turn to during times of need. Coping with friends who turn against you requires compassionate attention to your own emotions as well as closely considering the status of the current relationship and moving forward accordingly. Learn how to care for your hurt feelings and handle a disloyal friend, too.

Dealing with Hurt Feelings:

1. Acknowledge the pain of disloyalty. It hurts to have someone turn against you or to find out someone you thought was a close friend may not really be who you thought. It's normal to be upset and there is no need to hide the fact that you are hurt.
2. Take time to reflect. Friendships can benefit from time apart. Take this break to think about any major choices like confronting the friends or completely ending the friendships.
3. Practice regular self-care. Before you can even think about rebuilding trust with your friends, you have to first take care of you. Denying yourself time to care for your own needs does not lend itself to creating long-term, healthy friendships.
4. Be the bigger person. Don’t entertain urges to get revenge or hold grudges. Try to forgive those that do you wrong, if only so you don’t have to carry the burden of anger.
5. Hang out with fun and supportive friends and family. It can be extremely comforting after betrayal to surround yourself with positive people who want nothing but the best for you. This not only helps you process and cope with a betrayal, but it also reaffirms your value as a person and a friend.

Why is it so difficult when they (trusted friends) move away or die?

ANSWER: The reason it is difficult when trusted friends moves away: … When you are so much attached, emotionally to a person. It is pretty normal to feel that you won’t be able to live a happy life without that person’s presence. And your heart breaks down into infinite pieces on the mere thought of parting.

It’s always best to always remember this, each and every person that comes to your life comes with a purpose (obviously decided by the Almighty) and leaves, once that intended purpose is served. Moreover, if the almighty creates some void in your life, it is just because he wants to fill that void with something more beautiful. So, trust Him and His plan for you. And keep smiling.  When a close friend moves away, be happy for your friend especially if they’re moving away for a better life.

The reason it is so difficult when a trusted friend dies: … Although it’s often overlooked, the loss of a friend is just as devastating as that of any other loved one. It comes with the same force and it quickly takes you through a whirlwind of emotions before it throws you at grief’s mercy. Expect to be shocked, angry, confused and deeply disturbed as you try to make sense of it and adapt to its demands. The deep emotional connection and shared experiences can make it difficult to let go and move on. Friendships often involve a level of trust and vulnerability, which intensifies the emotional pain when they end.

Regardless of whether your trusted friend is moving away or dies, your grief is just as important and you need to give it the full attention it demands. Listen to it and be prepared to deal with the sudden burst of emotions, confusion and anger. You may feel guilty about past arguments or regret some of the things you remember saying and doing.

Is it better to trust no one?

ANSWER: TRUST is a five letter word that is the foundation of relationships. You may have heard the admonition to “Trust No One”, but that is not practical for daily living, nor desirable. When we don't trust people, we have a more difficult time forming relationships with others. And when other people sense that we don't trust them, they are often more likely to respond to us in negative ways. You may have heard the admonition to “Trust No One”, but that is not practical for daily living, nor desirable. When we don't trust people, we have a more difficult time forming relationships with others. And when other people sense that we don't trust them, they are often more likely to respond to us in negative ways.

When you don’t trust others you are depriving yourself of human connection and authentic living. Perhaps you relate to the inherent difficulty of letting someone in. Maybe you used to feel safe sharing your hopes, dreams, and demons, but not anymore. Most of us have been burned after letting our guard down. Some recover by shaking off the dust and moving on. Others push so far in the opposite direction, they practically run over those who could be their strongest allies.

Who remains with Paul besides Luke? (Hint: see verse 17a).

ANSWER: In 2 Timothy 4:17a tells us that He (Jesus) will stand with us and give us strength. No matter how bad it seems He will never leave our side. He will see us through and give us the strength we need to keep standing. Whatever you are going through, know this, that the Lord will be your support, the Lord will stand by your side, he will strengthen you and by his grace he will bring you through it all.

[Eldress Rowe]

I think it is so difficult when trusted friends desert us because we have built that that trust over a long period of time.  We have invest so much time, effort, love, and companionship in building that friendship that it seems as if a part of us is missing.  If they are truly trusted friends we have probably confided in them when we would not confide in no one else, they were the ones we could depend on to be there when needed and over time they have become more like family than friends.  When they desert us is like losing an arm or leg  and there is an emptiness in our lives that is not easily filled for we are weary of trusting someone else they way we trusted them.

Moving away is not like deserting someone.  Circumstances and situations may make it necessary to move and even if if the person is not in close proximity we can still converse and see one another from time to time.  They still remain our friends we just may not see them as often, or talk to them as frequently, but we can share the same love if it is from a distance.  Now if they die that is different.  We will have to hang on to our memories of the time and things we shared, now that they are in a better place .

We have to trust someone but our ultimate trust should be in God who will never leave us or forsake.  When we trust man it should be after they have proven themselves to be trustworthy and even then they may fail us.

The other person that was with Paul was the Lord, who will never leave us or forsake.

[Katy]

Q3.When a trusted friend departs our emotions depend on whether it was a parting on good terms or troubled terms. If we have know and trusted someone and they have to go away. It can be hard because a trusted friend is no longer around, no more sharing the good times and the bad times. No more doing things, or going places together. There is a lonely void in one’s life. This can be hard to replace with someone or something else. If a trusted friend has departed on bad terms and you cannot put things right despite prayer and trying to make amends ( if needed) this can lead to lots of unhappiness, and a feeling of betrayal and anger and loss. This situation can be very difficult to overcome and resolve. However we need to trust people because we are made to be in relationship with others. If we avoid trusting people we will live a lonely life and we will be deprived of the richness and beauty of friendship. We need only have a small group of friends close to us but they are precious and we need to nurture these relationships. 
Although Paul was lonely because his friends and colleagues have deserted him, except for Luke. He had one other presence who was and is faithful that is the Lord who stood at his side and gave him strength.

[haar]

Q3. (2 Timothy 4:9-12) Why is it so difficult when trusted friends desert us? Why is it so difficult when they move away or die? Is it better to trust no one? Who remains with Paul besides Luke? (Hint: see verse 17a).

A3.

I think it is a normal human reaction to feel hurt and disappointed to see the one you trust and depend on desert you for no justifiable reason.

It is particularly painful when such persons leave or die because their action creates a vacuum that may be difficult to fill up.

I do not think it is better not to trust anyone because of the fear of losing them.

We are told that Tichucus was bearing a letter from Paul and would take over from Timothy. This suggests that he was with Paul in Rom at that moment.
 

[Jonathan Edwards]

We start to doubt ourselves, and wonder where did we go wrong.   This is a cult de sac; it deters us from moving on and preaching the Gospel.  Our hearts went out to our friends; they were part of our lives.  We cannot help feeling a sense of loneliness and sorrow.   We keep our eyes on Christ, and remain strong.

Paul learned to have strong emuna:  faith in God.  Paul was delivered from particular troubles and blessed his ministry among the Gentiles.  Paul experienced the preserving graces of God despite the gainsayers and false heterodox teachers.

We have to be realistic: people change, even Christians.  Sad but true, people are fickle, and become lukewarm believers.  We must be strong in Christ: a strong prayer life and diligent Bible study each day.

[Old Jerry]

It is hard when trusted friends desert us because they know all about us and we know all about them. We have probably told them things that we had not told any body else. It is difficult when they move away or die because the two of you are now family. It would be a lonely world if we didn’t trust anybody. Who can we vent frustration on and still keep it a secret. Besides Luke the Lord was with Paul.

[hanks]

Q3. (2 TIMOTHY 4:9-12) 
Why is it so difficult when trusted friends desert us? Why is it so difficult when they move away or die? Is it better to trust no one? Who remains with Paul besides Luke? (Hint: see verse 17a). 
Since our trusted friends will mostly be believers, we will dearly miss them because we have so much in common, so much to look forward to, and so much to discuss. Today it will not be so severe when our friends move away since through technology, we can still be in contact with them. It’s not that they are completely gone, but of course it’s the same as in Paul’s days when they die – we grieve them. I’ve lost many close and dear friends who have gone to be with the Lord and I truly miss them. Good close friends are very precious and not easily replaced. When it comes to trust I feel trust must be earned; we don’t trust everyone. Paul was never left completely alone. We might think that it feels like all have deserted him, but we know that the Lord stood at his side and gave him the needed strength to face anything (Php 4:13; 1 Tim 1:12).