F is For Friends

Growing up I never had very many friends in my life. I was seen as the weird kid, the kid with food allergies, or the kid who cried a lot (I mean a lot). This gave me a big perspective into who I let into my life. Having people say mean things behind your back, make up rumors, or gossip about you is the opposite of friendship. When choosing to hang out around or even tell your trials and hardships to, you should consider what a friend truly is.

In the book of Proverbs in chapter 12 verse 26 it states this, “The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray.” When deciding who to pursue a friendship with you must look at their heart and their actions. Ask yourself a few questions:

1. Does this person follow the ways of God?

2. Does this person respect me and my beliefs?

3. Does this person try to convince me to follow bad behaviors?

Proverbs 27:17 states, “As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” We must surround ourselves with people we know have the similar (if not the same) values as we do. Our faith should always come first!

In the song F Is for Friends in the Spongebob Square Pants Show, it says this in the second verse,

“F is for friends

Who do stuff together

And I like you by my side

Got your back and you got mine

F is for friends

Who do stuff together

Any problem, big or small

I can be the one you call”

Your friends should be there for you no matter what you are going through. Proverbs 17:17 “A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.” Your brother and sisters in Christ should be willing to concoule you or help you whenever going through a trial and hardship. They should always be ready to listen, no matter the issue. Proverbs 11:14, “Where there is no counsel the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” The people we surround ourselves with should be able and willing to give us wise advice as to what to do in hard situations.

All friendships are built on trust. If one of your friends has an issue that arises or comes up they should come to you first. It should be between you and the other person. In Matthew 18:15 Jesus is speaking and says, “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his faults between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained a brother.” If there is trouble that comes up between two people it should be between those two people only. Gossip and lies can corrupt a friendship, so do not let that get in the way. Go to your brother privately and tell them how they have sinned or gone against you.

Friendships are encouraged by our Lord. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 “Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.” We must surround ourselves with like-minded, loving, trusting individuals. So that any problem, big or small, they'll be there for you!