The Gift of Friendship In Our Lives

<<Two are better than one, because they have good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.>> Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Friendship is the state of mutual trust and support between two or more individuals. God calls us to love one another and He really encourages community. There are many characteristics to identify a God-sent friend, among which:

Trust-A friend is someone that can be trusted, that lifts you up when you are down.They are here to sympathize with you, to comfort you. A friend "sticks closer than a brother."(Proverbs 18:24) I do not have a thousand friends. But I know my friends have my back. You need to select your friends carefully. Not because you have known someone for a long time or a particular person claims to be your friend, means that you have to be friends with that person.

Spirituality-A good friend is equally yoked to you. You share the same beliefs, you have the same perspective. Spiritually, you have the same vision and same goals. Your friendship should increase your faith and bring you closer to Jesus-Christ.

Faithfulness-A good friend rejoices when you rejoice. They do not gossip about you behind your back. The bible says that "a gossip betrays confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret." (Proverbs 11:13). If you find your friend always gossiping about other people in front of you, you need to ask yourself if they are not doing the same when you're not around.

Loyalty- A great example of friendship in the Bible is that of David and Jonathan. The book of Samuel says that: "As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul." Jonathan was willing to risk his life for his friend David and actually hid David from Saul, his own father, as he was attempting to kill David.

These are some characteristics that a good friend must possess. Real friends are God-sent and it is difficult to be separate from them. A good friend can be a sister, a brother, a spouse, or someone you have no family ties with. Real friendships glorify our Lord. It is important to know that Jesus Christ is our ultimate friend who gave His own life as a ransom for us. There is nobody on this Earth who will love you like Jesus does. Again, let us be careful in picking our friends, for God's glory!

CAL

                                                       

Heavenly Father, we love You and thank You for Your love for us. Thank You that even the hairs on our heads are numbered. Thank You for the amazing people You have put in our lives to share your glory and so that we do not go through this beautiful life alone. Father we pray for godly and God-sent friendships for all of your children. You have instilled in us a desire for community for a reason and we believe that You have a plan for us that includes the special people You surround us with. May our lives always glorify You and may every relationship we entertain be part of Your divine plan and purpose for us. In Jesus Name! Amen