Sunday, October 19, 2014

Do You Need a Friend?

They are probably best friends since they were...
They are probably best friends since they were kids.
 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)


Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
 If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
New International Version (NIV)

       We need friends.  Living on one's own can be depressing and desperate when trying to get through difficult times.   When you're dealing with troubles on your own you have no sounding board or outside support.   Scripture and prayer can certainly get you through such times if your mindset is in the right place, but having a good friend by your side provides a strength that you may not be able to muster by yourself. 

          Independence can be an admirable quality for us to have.   We should not be overly and needily dependant on anyone else.  That situation can be dangerous for us in many ways.  However we need other people in order to get us by in this world.   We need to have friends whom we can trust when trust is needed or just to keep us company when company is desired.

          Jesus Christ is the ultimate friend.  He loved us so much that He gave his life so that we could find salvation and eternal life.   We rarely have to give up our own lives for our friends--at least not in the literal sense that Jesus did.  But often being a friend does require sacrifice.  Our time, material goods, money, or even our emotions might be necessary to give to a friend in need.   Then there are the times when you may look to a friend to provide these things to you.  True friendship is an exchange, a sharing experience, and a relationship with mutual benefits. 

          We can try going it alone and indeed many of us do.   When you have friends by your side, traveling life's sometimes difficult road can be so much easier.    Companionship makes a burden a lighter load to carry.


Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
John 15:13
New International Version (NIV)


2 comments:

  1. Well put. I know so many who reject that kind of friendship, though. It is hard to understand.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great post, Arlee. Friends do make it easier to get through the hardships of life.

    ReplyDelete

Please offer your thoughts.