Alongside

Two people are out running. One seems very fit, the other less so. The fitter one turns to the other and says "You know, I find it really helpful running with you. I run much better, I am able to go faster, you really push me in a way that I just don't when I run alone".
Less fit runner has been struggling, secretly contemplating dropping back a little and then diving into a bush to hide. The pace has been right at the very limit. The thought had occurred that this fit friend must be feeling hampered, slowed down. It has just felt all wrong until this moment.
So what's going on? Often in life we may feel like we're holding our friends, family or colleagues back in some way, particularly at times of stress or great personal difficulty. We may feel like we are a burden, and assume that they would be better off without having us around so much. Yet we may have failed to consider that even in our times of weakness and struggle we can be positively influencing those around us. It says really early on in the Bible that 'it is not good to be alone'. This principle seems to be at play here-the lone runner does not perform as well as the one with company, even though the company is apparently struggling.
Don't isolate yourself when you struggle and don't be afraid to ask for help. You just don't know how you may be helping.