Friendship

Someone wrote, “I think that God will never send a gift so precious as a friend…” Another wrote, “Friendship is a chain of gold linked in God’s own perfect mold; Each like a smile, a laugh, or tear, a grip of the hand or a word of good cheer, no matter how far or heavy the load. Sweet is the journey on Friendship Road.”

A Friend “indeed” is certainly a rare jewel. True friendship makes for an association that will endure throughout the years. What builds these lasting friendships?

A Friend Is Compassionate

“To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend” (Job 6:14). Someone once said, “You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.”

A Friend Can Be Trusted

“Yes, mine own familiar friend, in who I trusted” (Psalm 41:9). Sometimes friends may disappoint us, but a true friend should be trustworthy. A friend is one who steps in when others step out. He never gets in our way except when we are on the way down.

A Friend Is Protective

“He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends” (Proverbs 17:6). A soldier was telling about the wound he received in battle. Someone asked him if he had fallen. “No” he replied, “My buddies saw I was hurt and gathered so closely about me I couldn’t fall!”

A Friend Is Friendly

“A man that hath friends must show himself friendly” (Proverbs 18:24). If we are unfriendly towards others then we will not have the friends we desire. Friendship is a two-way street.

A Friend Is Constructive

“Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful” (Proverbs 27:6). I would rather be criticized constructively by a friend than be praised by a foe – who, as the hypocrite, will not speak his true feelings except behind your back.

A Friend Loves At All Times

“A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity” (Proverbs 17:17). Some “Friends” are only to be found when the sun shines but quickly disappear when the rain starts.

Spend time winning friends and developing enduring friendships. It will be worth the effort and will make your life much better for having made the effort.