friend noun
\ ˈfrend \
1. person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard.
2. person who gives assistance; patron; supporter: a person who is on good terms with another; a person who is not hostile.
“A true friend is a “favored companion” for whom we feel affection or esteem, someone who lets you have total freedom to be yourself- and especially to feel. Or not feel. Whatever you happen to be feeling at the moment is fine with them. A friend points out our strengths and rejoices in our successes. That’s what real love amounts to- letting a person be what he really is.”
As we navigate through this life we have been given, I believe that it is imperative that we have friends or at least one true friend (BFF). Someone reliable, someone that you can call on whenever – no matter the time of day or night; they always have your back. What I’ve learned thus far is, if you want to have a true friend, you must be a true friend as well; it works both ways!
At times you will be the one who is giving advice, pouring out your heart, your wisdom and strength into them, or lending a hand when they have fallen on hard times and just can’t seem to get back up again without a little love and some TLC.
Sometimes they just need someone to talk to and listen to them, not problem solve, just listen and encourage them, let them know you really care about them and what’s going on in their life at that moment.
You should be able to share or discuss anything with your true friend, no condemnation or judgment! Be real, be honest, and never betray their trust! Giving what you want to get is the best way to show someone how to be a friend. Just remember, no friendship is perfect all the time!
Friends will come, and friends will go, but a true friend will stick with you like glue, through thick or thin, through the good, the bad and the ugly as they say because that is just what we do as friends.
- Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times.
- Proverbs 18:24 Do not forsake your friends.
- Proverbs 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend.
I realize not everyone has experienced a friend like this, but it is not too late!
- John 3:16-17 for GOD so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him, shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
This reminds me of the song “What A Friend We Have In Jesus”!
What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in Prayer!
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged–
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Jesus wants to be your friend, so much that He gave his life upon the cross for you and me, so that when we die, we don’t have to.
- John 15:13-15 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
Jesus sounds like the ultimate true friend if you ask me! And when you are feeling all alone, and you are tired and stressed out, when you need help financially, or when you have a loved one that has gone astray, whatever it may be, all you have to do is say the name JESUS! He is always there with you!
- Deut 31:8 It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.
- Philp 4:7 And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. So, when or if you have friends or just the one true friend that will stand with you through everything, you are blessed.
- Eccl 4:12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him-a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
I believe the more like-minded friends you have, the better off you are! There is certainly power in numbers in almost everything that you do, but especially the Lord’s work. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. So if you want a true friend Jesus is the one. But if you want a friend to go and do things with, pray for God to bring you a friend. Remember, friendship is a two-way street. To have a friend, you must be a friend!
“ Everyone hears what you say. Friends listen to what you say. Best friends listen to what you don’t say”
Unknown
Written by Lisa Turner
