Day 13

Friends for Life

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

A friend loves at all times,
    and a brother is born for adversity.

Proverbs 17:17

Think about the people you’ve called friends over your lifetime. Some of you may be fortunate enough to have had the same friends for much of your life. But if you’re like most, your friendships have changed as you’ve gone through different life cycles, moved to a different town, had kids, started a new job, or changed churches. You’ve probably found that your deepest friendships have been formed through adversity. Maybe you’ve lost a loved one or had a serious illness. Or perhaps you’ve walked through a season that has tested your faith in a real way and even walked away from your faith. In both examples, your true friends are the ones who have walked with you through even the darkest moments. 

The Bible has something to say about these friends. Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” Paul tells the church in 1 Thessalonians 5:11 to “encourage one another and build one another up.” One of the things made abundantly clear in the last several years is that we need friends. Whether living through COVID-19 and the irrevocable changes it brought, the ups and downs of the economy, or wars in Ukraine and Israel, we need to be with people who understand us, with whom we can share life and our struggles, pains, fears, and doubts. We need friends who constantly point us to Jesus. 

Application: As you begin this year, consider reaching out to one friend per week and try to stay in touch with them throughout 2024. Call them, text them, use social media, and grab lunch or coffee with them if you can. Simply thank them for being your friend and tell them you’re grateful for their friendship this year.

Written By: Matt Brashier