Friendship
Proverbs 17:17 - "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity."
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 - "Two are better than one, because they have a 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."
John 15:12-13 - "My command is this; Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends."
Colossians 3:13 - "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone, Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
Ephesians 4:2-3 - "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."
Faithfulness
Friendships aren't always easy. It's about faithfulness. God places people in our lives to encourage us, challenge us, and ultimately, point us back to Him. The right friends don't just walk with you-they help you walk closer to Christ.
Being an adult now with 4 kids, I have prayed for a group of friends to walk alongside me. To be the village I need on the good days and the rocky ones. Ones that I know would do anything for me but also love my kids as their own. I am so thankful to have that. The Lord has been so faithful to give me what my heart has longed for.
God's Gifts
Godly friendships are some of Gods sweetest gifts. But, they also require you to be intentional. They aren't accidental; they are built on a shared desire to know and follow God more deeply.
Proverbs 27:17 states "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."
A true, godly friend doesn't just comfort you- they refine you. They bring out the best in you. They let you be yourself with no judgement and all love, but, they speak TRUTH to you. Even when it's hard, they encourage when you're down and should remind you of who God is when sometimes we forget ourselves.
Are you currently searching for godly friendships? If so, I urge you to not stop praying about it. Ask God to send godly friends into your life to walk alongside you, that pour into you spiritually and mentally.
Rooted in Love
Godly friendships are rooted in love, strengthened with honesty, and sustained with grace. These friends pray for you, they celebrate your growth, and cheer you on in all areas of your life.
God calls us to love others as HE loves us. We aren't in a competition with our friends. God has each of us in different seasons and created us all for our own purpose.
I already pray for my kids and the friendships they currently have but also the ones that will come as they grow up! The friendships that build them up, not bring them down. I want my kids to be an encouragement to their friends, not try to be better than them. Godly friends are a true gift!
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the gift of friendships. Please continue to have my friendships glorify you, encourage my faith, speak truth in love, and walk me toward you. Help me to also be a good friend, one that is kind, honest, patient and faithful. If in anyway I have broken trust or hurt someone, I pray those relationships can be rekindled and brought back to life.
In Jesus Name, Amen