the power of a godly friend!

“We are in this together” is the mantra that is being chanted by everyone right now.  But let’s be honest, we don’t always feel together.  As a matter of fact, many of us feel lonelier now than ever before.

Recently, I had a moment like this so I reached out to my longtime friend, Laura.  I got some sad news which I didn’t know how to process, so in hopes of some kind of resolution, I made a phone call.  As soon as I heard my “bestie’s” voice I immediately felt a little better, because I knew I had someone who would listen, understand and give me honest feedback.  So I laced up my sneakers and quietly stepped away in my backyard, leaving my homeschooling responsibilities for a moment for my own mental health. When I say “stepped away” I mean really stepped away.  I got almost 10,000 steps in during our conversation!  When we were finished talking I didn’t have all my problems figured out, but I did have peace.

Here is the thing. I have talked to senior saints and teenagers who have expressed grief, loss, isolation, fear and a whole slew of emotions during this season of pandemic and I have concluded that we need godly friendship like never before. 

The most meaningful relationships in our lives are often the hardest ones to maintain, but if we learn to do so, we will tap into a power rarely seen on this earth. Jesus put it this way: “If two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven” (Matt. 18:19).

In a world full of loneliness and emptiness, building worthwhile friendships is more important now than ever.

Top 6 Traits needed to be a Godly F.R.I.E.N.D:

1. F-Forgiveness

No friendship can last without forgiveness. 

“Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends” (Prov. 17:9). 

2. R-Respect

Respect healthy boundaries. Pursue healing from any past wounds that are affecting your ability to build current relationships in healthy ways.

3. I-Invest

Realize that good friendships don’t just happen; they take time and require risks. Invest the time and take the risks necessary to build solid friendships.

4. E- Encouragement

1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 

Barnabas’ name means encouragement. Paul would not have made it without Barnabas. 

5. N-NO Nonsense 

Proverbs 27:17, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”

Friends are always challenging each other and even motivating each other to be all that God wants them to be.

Proverbs 27:6: Wounds from a friend can be trusted … (NIV)

6. D- Dependable

Proverbs 18:24: A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (NIV)

If you have a need for genuine friendship, then learn to be the friend you want others to be to you.  Like all good things in life, friendship takes time to cultivate but it is worth it.  

If you want to learn to develop amazing friendships, please pray this prayer with me:

Heavenly Father, in our current season of fear and isolation due to the pandemic, I ask you to help me develop genuine friendships. Please help me look beyond my own challenges, needs, and problems to be a godly friend to someone else.  Help me meet the needs of my sisters who are experiencing their own tribulations.  Help me not be so self-focused that I do not see the struggles of my friends.  In fact even though I am facing difficulties at this time, I know that I am blessed beyond measure, so please help me be a blessing to my friends.  Help me be the friend others need, because in doing so, I believe I will also reap genuine friendship.  Guide me as I seek to be a good friend to others, and as I sow good seed, please multiply it back into my own life.  I pray this in Jesus’ name.  Amen.