Friends are such a great blessing from God. The fact that He created us
with the ability to form meaningful relationships with each other is a
special gift that He gave us as humans. We have the ability to not only
form relationships with each other but be representatives of God's love
for us through actionable actions for each other here on earth. What a
cool opportunity that is! Because of the love that He shows us, we can
forward that love to those around us!
You've most likely heard the phrase "be the friend that you want to
have". Friendships are two-way interactions and are dependent on both
party's participation. When friendships blossom, people do
too. Have you ever had someone go out of their way to do something nice for
you? Whether it was offering their shoulder for support when it was needed
or offering to watch your kids for an evening, I'm guessing it made you
feel loved.
- "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." - Matthew 7:12 (NIV)
- "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:16
- "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity." - Proverbs 17:17
- "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." - 1 Thessalonians 5:11
- "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." - Colossians 3:12-14
- "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
- "Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty." - Job 6:14
- "A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends." - Proverbs 16:28
- "One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." - Proverbs 18:24
- "Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice." - Proverbs 27:9
- "How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity!" - Psalm 133:1
- "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." - Romans 12:10
- "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." - 1 Peter 4:8-10
- "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." - John 15:12-13
What do all of these verses have in common? Loving the people around
us and being there for our friends. How can you shine your light around your friends? How can you show
God's love to them? It doesn't need to be anything extravagant but maybe that looks like sitting down and actively listening to the hard
things going on in their life (like Job's friends in Job 2:11-13),
meeting up for weekly coffee to take a break from the hustle that is
going on at home or offering to run an errand for them to help them
shorten their to-do list. Whatever it is, I encourage you to think
about how you can show God's love to them by being there for
them. Not to get anything in return but rather to actionably show others the love that
God has given you. It might just be the thing that brightens someone's
day. ♥
Did this encourage you? Let me know in the comments!
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