A companion and helper. An attachment to another soul with chords of love and affection, coupled with a sincere willingness to care for and esteem them higher. A seeker of another's happiness and prosperity. A friend.
Friendships are a blessing from the Lord and are designed by our Creator to enhance our days and bring us ultimately closer to our greatest Friend. Below are a few helpful hints to establish in our godly friendships so that they might remain sweet and centered on the Lord.
Make friends even if you don't think you need them.
Ecclesiastes 4:9, 12 - "Two are better than one...and a threefold cord is not quickly broken."
Seek out all personality types, not just those you naturally gravitate towards.
Proverbs 27:12 - "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend."
Don't establish a friendship on mutual dislikes but rather on positive things.
Romans 14:19 - "Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another."
Call if you are running late.
Ephesians 2:21 - "Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God."
Look people in the eye when you talk to them.
Philippians 2:3 - "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves."
Speak positive things about others.
Galatians 4:6 - "Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man."
Learn to tell a good story.
Isaiah 52:7 - "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation..."
Ask other people about themselves.
Philippians 2"4 - "Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." Proverbs 18:24 - "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly..."
Be happy for others in their good fortune.
Romans 12:15 - "Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep."
Make sure your caring includes doing.
James 2:18 - "...I will shew thee my faith by my works."
Forget what you give and remember what you receive.
Matthew 10:8 - "...freely ye have received, freely give."
Be the one who is there doing when others are asking, "What I can do?"
James 2:15-16 - "If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?"
Listen - even in the silence.
Ecclesiastes 4:6 - "Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit." Job 2:13 - "So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great."
Learn to enjoy being alone with yourself, for if you are happy being with you, it is likely others will enjoy your company, too.
Proverbs 15:13 - "A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken."
Know when to say good-bye.
Proverbs 25:17 - "Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee."
Previously published: April/May 2002
“Designed to promote Biblical living for today’s Christian Woman.”
It is our highest desire that this publication encourages and edifies ladies in their daily walk with the Lord and strengthens them in their God-given role as wives, mothers, daughters, and servants of the Lord Jesus Christ.