everybody needs a friend
We meet them in sandboxes and cafeterias, youth groups and college dorm rooms, cubicles and church pews.
We grow them through scuffles and sustain them no matter the fight.
Some last for a season and some, a lifetime.
Some of us never had a real one.
We’ve been hurt and we’ve been carried; bruised and built up; angered and forgiven; lost then found.
We stumbled over the same blocks and then chose to keep bobbing and weaving along this road together.
Friends.
This study is an examination, a celebration, and an exhortation to us, to cultivate rich friendships as God intended. Let’s begin at the beginning.
friendship after the fall
As human beings made in the image of God—who Himself exists in Trinity as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—we reflect him as we seek out relationships with other image-bearers. However, what was once perfectly natural has been corrupted. Sin has perverted our relationships. We hurt each other, lie to each other, and compare ourselves to one other because of the destructive nature sin brings to every relationship.
Outside of Eden, we imperfect and sinful people now must cultivate friendships from the rocky soil of a fallen world. Thankfully, we believers have an added mission—the ministry of reconciliation—and an abundant super-power, the Holy Spirit, which we have been given through our bonds of fellowship in Christ. The Spirit empowers us to overcome our flesh, love our neighbors, and make the necessary sacrifices to sustain our deep friendships. God’s love for us is all about redemption and reconciliation—what a gift that the Father would send the Son to reconcile us back to himself, and that we would be gifted with the indwelling power and presence of the Holy Spirit! God’s love for us manifests itself in his presence. God is with us, and we are never alone. We reflect his imminence and care when we lovingly cultivate true friendship.
why does friendship matter?
Before he was arrested and sentenced to be crucified, Jesus said to his disciples, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 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” (John 15:12–14). Believers are friends of Christ! It is for the sake of this friendship that Christ died. It is because of our belief in Christ that we follow his commandment to love one another.
Godly friendships declare the love of Christ. Friends remind us that we are not alone. Friendships help us along the journey of life. Friends encourage us when we are down. Friends help us when we labor. Friends wage war against the enemy alongside us—and when we’re at our weakest, they defend us.
Friends help us to keep going when the going gets rough.
Our friendships should matter deeply to us because they matter deeply to God.
As I have many friendships
.I have some that are good some that are bad influenced.I do believe everybody’s path in indwind with one other for the purpose and will of God ..God uses us for his purpose..I do believe thst God uses us christians as a portal to Hik ..what I mean is that God useseach of us everyday to influence the nad ..to help the needy to overcome the weiry..Like I always say just a fresh of fresh air is always needed
I am alone. I’m yearning for drop powerful friendship:s. Lately it seems that God wants me for himself. To first show me what it is to be a good friend. While I trust Him in this journey, it’s tough. My heart yearns for a woman soul mate. I’m making big life changes moving to 2 new cities (1/2 time in each). Praying and trusting that God will show me the way.
Prayers you’re making good Christian friends 💛
I have a best friend who really does life w me and it’s great but also because we’re so close sometimes it’s hard to let others in
I have a few close girlfriends that I can share my life with good and bad. We all share with each other and give the love and support to each other but none live close by. I would love to expand my network of girlfriends close to my home.
I had a really good friend and she passed away. God has taught me that even good friends can lie to us. Now I am friendless and it is difficult doing life without friends.
I have always struggled with friends. I’ve never had that ‘sister-like’ friendship, and I’ve always longed for that. A friend that I have know for 19 years made it clear she can’t be there for me, and it hurt me a lot to know that our relationship isn’t where I thought it was. It forced me to take a step back in the relationship because I was the only one trying and in return, I would get a text a month later and hear about the party she had that I didn’t get invited to. I know God is building me and maybe someday I will have a deeper relationship with a great friend but if not then I accept what God is doing.
Both good and bad relationships have lead me to have a relationship with Christ. God is teaching me how to prioritize:
God/Partner/Family and Friends.
My bad friendships have helped smoothe out my rough edges by challenging me to grow. My good friendships have been a source of love, support, & additional challenge which also combine to help me grow. I love when I’m in a stormy season of life and a friend does or says something that points my focus back to our Powerful, Compassionate & and Loving Father.
Over the years I’ve had some great friendships but some of those also left some deep bruises. For a long while, I pulled back from engaging in friendships in any intimate way because I was untrusting of others – surface became sufficient. I was content to only invest in my marriage and my kids. God had other plans and really started to push me to engage with other women. Its grown to a point where I’m starting a new womens ministry and I am so blessed by these new friendships that He has gifted me with. I’m so grateful.
Friendships have given me joy and tears
Given me a sense of acceptance and well being
Give me sweet sorrow when they pass from my life
Friendships teach me fairness, honesty, balance, and love
Friendships teach me about true kindness
Jesus’s love and joy teaches me that friendsip is a treasure
“The joy of the Lord gives me strength”