How To Be A Friend Through Thick and Thin X Sarah Jakes Roberts & Dr. Anita Phillips

They say to meet people where they are, and this dialogue proves it! Here we have SJR and Dr. Anita Phillips discussing ways to support a friend when they’re in and out of power. Sometimes, being a listening ear and holding space is all the safety that they need.

Watch the FULL “The Power of Ambiguity with Dr. Anita Phillips” episode on the Woman Evolve TV App. For audio-only, head over to iHeartRadio, Apple, Spotify, or Google Podcasts.

I think that as a friend, supporting a friend through anything, that We have an obligation to not give them the coordinates for where we think their power has moved to.
Come on. But rather to ask them the types of questions that put the shovels in their hand, you know?
Like, when is the last time you felt like this, or, you know, that’s completely understandable.
Sometimes just listening while they, like, you’re listening, but they’re searching for it and just being able to listen.
But I think sometimes we want to infuse the power, like, Girl, you know, to you’ll be fine and whatever all these things.
And there and then there are moments where I’m like, I’m sure this was really hard and devastate, like, we have to resist the urge to tell our friends how they should be showing up in power in a moment when they’re standing in rubble.
And instead, just be willing to sit in the rubble with them and to hear them out.
And if they ask us, like, what did you do, or how did you think to be open to whatever if expression of friendship they need.
I guess that’s what I’m saying. And so I have learned to kinda feel you out in these days.
I’m like, you’re really good. Out of that land, what did you feel?
And if like, well, it kinda broke my heart, then I can be more sensitive.
You’re like, it kinda made me happy and be like, good girl. You deserve to have joy.
You know what I mean? Like, I’ve gotta walk this thing out with you.
In a way that honors that I don’t want you to be anywhere that you aren’t, and I wanna be able to sit with you wherever you are.