What makes us a good friend? What makes us a safe friend? How can we improve on our behavior as a friend? We all want a friend or friends but first we must be a friend. God changes the world by changing me, one me at a time. Are we willing to change, to grow?
Proverbs 18:24 A man who has friends must be friendly himself, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.
Are we safe friends? Do we speak of things one has told us in private? Maybe in the form of a prayer request?
Proverbs 20:19 He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.
Proverbs 11:13 A talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.
Proverbs 18:19 A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city.
Jesus is the friend we can and should take our friends confidences to.
Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to GOD;
A burden shared can be easier to carry. A loving friend will share your burden and do their best to support you and guide when asked by the word of God in gentleness, love, and truth. A good friend knows their friend’s story is not theirs to tell or share with another. We all have our own stories some so traumatic we cannot share and if one has been hurt by someone who they thought they could trust, they may never trust someone again. Can we be a friend in Jesus? Can we love first?
