proverbs on friendship

The resounding theme in my reading today had a lot to do with friendship, true friendship that is.  It is not in the easy times of life when you find out who your true friends are, but in the hardest of times.  One of the best Biblical examples of friendship can be found with David and Jonathon in 1 Samuel, where Jonathon was willing to stake his friendship against his father the king.  However, I found some very challenging verses in Proverbs today.

Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but whoever gossips about it separates friends. (17:9, CSB)

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a difficult time (17:17, CSB)

Point 1: if a friend trusts you enough to tell you an issue, problem, or sin they are dealing with then you need to keep it to yourself.  Trust is not easily gained and much more easily lost.  If you are like me I have a very hard time trusting someone.  So if someone trusts you enough to tell you something personal about themselves, you owe it to them to keep it to yourself.

Point 2: if you hear gossip about someone that you call friend, nip it in the bud.  Gossip is gossip and doesn’t need to be shared or listened to.  Be willing to put an end to it.

Point 3: be a friend that loves at all times, there are enough fair weather friends out there, be the one that is always there and let them know “hey I am here for you”, we are all imperfect people who can at times be hard to love.  This is when agape (unconditional love) comes in handy, even if your friend is being “unlovable” they still need to be loved.

Point 4: a brother is born for difficult times, be more than a friend be a brother (or sister).  Difficult times are when you and I need someone close the most.  Unfortunately difficult times are also when you figure out who your real friends are.  It is during the darkest hours of our lives we figure out who are willing to stand and be a friend and those who are not.  Not every friend you have is born for difficult times in your life and that is a reality we have to face.

Scripture challenges us with friendship, what it really means and how we apply it.  Sometimes in life we have friends for a season and friends for a lifetime.  The friends for a season you look back on and appreciate what you had when you had it.  The friends for a lifetime are the ones you keep closest to you, they are the ones who know you and love you for who you are.  The friends for a lifetime are the ones who will stick by you when you need them the most.  At the same time YOU need to be that friend, I need to be that friend.  I need to be that friend that is born for difficult times.

I am fortunate to have many people I can call "friend" and know that no matter what time of day I needed them they would be there, the above picture is just 3 of them but I know I have many more and I thank you for always being there for me.

Have a great day, and be that friend people need :)
chris