Help!

Giving our friends the benefit of the doubt is important. This is one of the reasons that we call them friends. Because of the relationship we share, the level of trust must be incredibly high. When we believe a friend has let us down or has not been there when we needed them, perhaps we have built expectations that were never communicated. Or, possibly, there are a few reasons for their absence. (These could also be reasons that we are not helping our friends, too.)

1. Your friend may already be helping, but you simply aren’t recognizing it.
2. Your friends don’t know what to do.
3. They’re working on it, just be patient.
4. They really are more in need of our help than vice-versa.
5. Your friends don’t understand the seriousness of the situation.
6. They may be overextended with other obligations already.
7. They don’t believe there is anything they can do.
8. You and your friends have different definitions of friendship.
9. Your relationship may not be as solid as you believe it to be.
   
10. You haven’t asked.