Perhaps one of the most important things we can do is care for those who are not well! Galatians 6:2 says to, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ!”

But it can be challenging to know exactly what to do when someone you know and love is sick. How exactly can we bear one another’s burdens?

Here are my top 5 favorite ways to serve a friend in need!

Food Love

Perhaps the best thing you can do for someone who is sick is to make them food. My favorite meals to take to someone are CHICKEN BRUSCHETTA BAKE and FRIENDSHIP CASSEROLE. But food does not need to be homemade to be fully appreciated! Simply have a pizza delivered, or just show up on a friend’s doorstep with a rotisserie chicken and frozen bags of broccoli and sweet potato fries. And a box of tissues.

If your friend is facing an on-going sickness, I highly recommend coordinating a meal train. You can do this using a website like Take Them a Meal. It is so easy to do and is the most significant blessing.

As a Preschool Director, many of my staff struggled with sickness this past year. I developed a habit of picking up a jar of Rao’s Chicken Noodle Soup whenever I shopped at Target. I attached a simple tag and left it on their desks when they were feeling under the weather. It was often the very thing that helped my staff turn a corner!

Pick up a jar of Rao’s Chicken Noodle Soup (absolutely delicious) and attach THIS FREE PRINTABLE TAG!

Text Love

I love sending my friends funny text messages when they are not feeling well. A comedic break in the middle of a string of bathroom trips is good for the soul. I have put together some of my favorite funny memes to send when a friend is sick on THIS PINTEREST BOARD. Simply save the images to your phone and text away.

Your texts don’t have to always be funny, though. A simple, “I heard you were sick! I am missing seeing your smile. Please know that I am praying for you! Get well soon!”

THIS POST, while not faith-based, had some good starting point examples.

Leave some space for the Holy Spirit, too. If the Lord puts a Bible verse on your heart for your friend, make sure to send it right away. Some good verses to send might be Psalm 73:26, Isaiah 41:10, Matthew 11:28-30, Psalm 147:3, or John 14:27.

A link to a worship video can also be a great comfort to someone who is not feeling well. I find rich encouragement from any music by Kari Jobe, Shane & Shane, or Ellie Holcomb.

Insistent Love

I think the usual thing to say to a sick friend is something along the lines of, “Let me know if you need anything!” BUT, often, the recipient won’t feel comfortable enough to accept the help. She doesn’t want to “inconvenience” or bother anyone.

A better thing to say is, “I am at Target, I am picking you up some soup, tea, ginger ale, and crackers. Let me know what else you need.” Or, “I am in the neighborhood and am coming to get your kids for a few hours. Send them out when I honk.”

As Nike says, it’s better to JUST DO IT.

Extra Love

A tangible reminder that someone is thinking of them can do wonders for the soul!

Here are a few happy surprises that would bring cheer to someone who is sick.

Make them a Cold Care Package.
Stop by with a bouquet of flowers.
Send a card in the mail (go HERE for tips!).
Show up with homemade bread wrapped in a new tea towel.
Whatever you bring, add handwritten Bible verses with Post-it notes!
Send a gift card for Uber Eats or DoorDash.
Send a CardSnack (one of my favorite apps!).
Take their kids out of the house for a bit so that they can rest.
Drop off a new puzzle and/or activity books for the kids to do while mom is down.

Prayer Love

James 5:14-15 says, “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.”

Seek the Lord on behalf of your friend. Pray faithfully. Fast, even, for them! I cannot think of a greater comfort than knowing someone is storming the gates of heaven for weak and struggling me!