Friendships

We all have those friends who we go to when we need encouragement and someone to talk to. They comfort us, counsel us, and love us. The Bible talks about this kind of friend in Proverbs 17:17 saying, "A friend loves at all times..." However, sometimes we can get so caught up in these friendships and forget our ultimate example of what a friend should be like: Jesus. So, today I just want to give you some words on what Godly friendships should look like, how we can strengthen our friendships, and how to get closer to the first friend who ever loved you.

Proverbs 18:24 (NIV) says, "One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." I love this verse so much because it describes the essence of a Godly friendship which is companionship. A Godly friend will stick by you in hard times and be there to celebrate in your good times. They will always build you up and never tear you down. They can be relied upon in any type of situation. Of course, this friend would never take the place of God in your life. They are, however, a great example of God's love in your life and a blessing from Him. The Lord desires unity in our lives. He wants us to be united with people of the same mind and heart so we can reach out to the lost people in the world.

Another great verse is found in Proverbs 27:9 which says, "Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice." On the opposite end of the thought of having an encouraging friend, I think most of us could say we have had a friend who may have hurt us or been bitter in their conversations towards us. A real friend, someone who wants to bring joy to your life, will always speak with kindness. They will want nothing more than to bring out your strengths. I always try to practice showing love to friends by complimenting them on their outfit or their hair. This is a very common way to encourage someone daily. The advice of a friend is also that of wisdom. It comes from counsel that originated with Jesus and is being spread to you.

So how do we strengthen our relationships with friends? I have found over the years that prayer is a big part of a Godly friendship. We need to be praying for our friends and whatever they are going through and believing that God's will is being done in their lives. Through this prayer, we are giving our friends to God and therefore basing our friendships on the Rock of Jesus Christ. Praying with your friends is also a great thing to do because it brings us closer to God and to the other person. One thing I love to do with my friends is have a Bible study and just talk about what the Lord is doing in our lives. It encourages everyone in the group. Also, maintaining a strong relationship with Jesus is the true way to have a solid relationship with anyone else. This goes into my next point.

As a Christian, my main focus daily should be on Jesus and honoring Him with my choices. I need to be getting closer to Him because He loved me before anyone else did. He is my life. James 4:8 says, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." That is the first step to getting closer to God. Seek Him daily. How do you seek Him? By reading the Bible, praying, going to church, etc. These are all ways to come to know Him better. Just as we share secrets with our friends, we should much more be sharing our thoughts with the Lord who desires to spend time with us everyday. When our focus is on Jesus, we will ultimately be fulfilled in other areas of life including friendships being brought to us by Him.

In honor of my post today, I thought I would include some pictures of some of my dear friends which the Lord has placed in my life.

This is my friend Kayla who I have known since I was around three years old. She is always an inspiration to persevere and trust God. 

This is Aymee who I met my sophomore year at ORU. Her and I had the opportunity to work together in the clinical setting at the hospital and she is always a joy to be around. Her wisdom in nursing and love for the Lord are two things I constantly learn from. 

This is Michael and I've also known him most of my life. He has endured so much to become who he is today and I am always excited to hear what new revelations he has about God and His Word. I am never bored when I'm with him. 

Lastly, I wanted to mention my boyfriend, Matthew. He is an amazing example of God's love. He always encourages me and makes me smile. I am truly blessed to have him in my life. 

I hope you enjoyed this post and that you will strengthen your own friendships with God's help. Have a great day!