“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, NLT
Friends are a gift from God, and He’s given us varieties of them: co-workers, schoolmates, close friends and more. Friendship is celebrated and encouraged all throughout the Bible. From the beginning, God designed us to need each other. All the way back in Genesis, God said, “It is not good for man to be alone…” so He created Eve.
There are over a dozen passages in the New Testament that use the phrase “one another” to encourage a close connection with others. It’s so important, critical even, to have friends that you can be shoulder to shoulder with, sharing the same passion for Jesus. We were made to have these kinds of friendships. It’s woven into us.
As friends, we are to encourage and build each other up, working together in one accord. We are to stand by them through thick and thin. But sometimes it can be too much work and emotionally draining. We begin to think that having true friends in our lives is “optional”. If you have them, great, but it’s not essential and as soon as they hurt you, you toss them off to the side.
Every friend that you have is a sinner—they’re going to do things that are thoughtless, selfish, self-centered and hurtful. And so are you. We are humans, sinners, and it’s in us to do things for our gain. Sometimes it’s conscious, sometimes not. For this reason, we need to offer forgiveness and grace just like we would want them to offer grace to us.
Lord, thank you for creating friendships. Help us to be thankful when things go well and full of grace when they don’t. Amen
