Disney and all its many avenues of entertainment spell magic and success. In Disney’s movie, Toy Story, an award winning song was “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” explaining the relationship between Woody and Andy and the toys of this wonderful hit flick.

Is a friend a confidant, someone who shares your ups and downs and maybe even someone who loves you through thick and thin?

What a Friend We Have in Jesus, a beautiful hymn, seems to explain our personal Perfect Friend so succinctly.

1. “What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!

2. “Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.

3. “Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.

4. “ Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
May we ever, Lord, be bringing
All to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
There will be no need for prayer—
Rapture, praise, and endless worship
Will be our sweet portion there.”*

In the Toy Story song, the words say, “There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you. Together we can see this through.”  However, we are not animated. We are not toys. We are God’s creation. How wonderful that our Lord loves us unconditionally and when we take our woes and troubles to Him in prayer, our friend, Jesus, will see us through. “Jesus knows our every weakness…Thou will all our burdens bear.” What a friend; what a blessing!

Jill

*Text: Joseph Scriven, 1820-1886
Music: Charles C. Converse, 1832-1918