Words of The Lamb magazine

Earlier this month, Erica Berry, a Bible teacher, wife, mother, and thought leader, posted on her IG reel about a friend who was going through a rough time and had asked for a Bible verse. It seems like a straightforward request, doesn’t it? Instead, Ms. Berry told her, “No,” and encouraged her to read the Bible on her own. Her viewers responded harshly, publicly rebuking her for her handling of this situation. I was left ambivalent on the matter. I had more questions on what prompted Erica to go about it that way. Is this “friend” prone to putting herself in precarious situations? Is she self-sufficient enough to get herself out of them? Or was she in a moment of weakness—I’ve been there and done that and just needed words of encouragement? Why didn’t Ms. Berry just do what Saint Paul said in Matthew 18:15-17? Personally, in this dark world that we are all in, I don’t miss the opportunity to speak life into people, but that doesn’t mean I can’t hold them responsible at the same time. If the other party can’t handle either, that’s usually an indicator for me to exit. It’s a matter of balance and what we make ourselves accessible to, including people.