Connect with a Close Friend
Proverbs 18:24
Friends come in all shapes and sizes, literally and figuratively. In the figurative sense, friends can vary a great deal in terms of how close they are to us, the strength and depth of their character, their shared values, and so on. Having the right friends is critically important to our emotional and spiritual well being.
Solomon made an interesting observation about friendship in Proverbs 18:24.
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Some so-called friends can be superficial, deceitful, and manipulative. Those are the kinds of friends Solomon identifies in the first part of the verse. Connecting with them will only create more hardship and pain in our lives. However, what a wonderful thing it is to connect with someone who stands by us through thick and thin, through the hard times and the good times, through tragedy and triumph. That kind of friendship isn’t conditional, and it doesn’t weaken when things get rough; in fact, it strengthens and becomes even more supportive. A friend like that shares our values, overlooks our faults and failures, and affirms us when we succeed.
In times when relationships on other levels unravel, how important it is that we have, or be, that kind of friend. In those circumstances, complete honesty and transparency are vital so that healing can come. Sometimes tough love is required, being willing to ask the hard questions and dealing head-on with painful issues. Yet God can use such friendship to bring the healing that’s needed.
How would you describe a true friend?
What is unconditional friendship like?
How will the way you respond to Christ change when you realize He is your friend as well as your Lord and Savior?
Proverbs 18:24
Friends come in all shapes and sizes, literally and figuratively. In the figurative sense, friends can vary a great deal in terms of how close they are to us, the strength and depth of their character, their shared values, and so on. Having the right friends is critically important to our emotional and spiritual well being.
Solomon made an interesting observation about friendship in Proverbs 18:24.
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Some so-called friends can be superficial, deceitful, and manipulative. Those are the kinds of friends Solomon identifies in the first part of the verse. Connecting with them will only create more hardship and pain in our lives. However, what a wonderful thing it is to connect with someone who stands by us through thick and thin, through the hard times and the good times, through tragedy and triumph. That kind of friendship isn’t conditional, and it doesn’t weaken when things get rough; in fact, it strengthens and becomes even more supportive. A friend like that shares our values, overlooks our faults and failures, and affirms us when we succeed.
In times when relationships on other levels unravel, how important it is that we have, or be, that kind of friend. In those circumstances, complete honesty and transparency are vital so that healing can come. Sometimes tough love is required, being willing to ask the hard questions and dealing head-on with painful issues. Yet God can use such friendship to bring the healing that’s needed.
How would you describe a true friend?
What is unconditional friendship like?
How will the way you respond to Christ change when you realize He is your friend as well as your Lord and Savior?
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