A Guide to Friendship

Begin to heal

It’s no surprise that we have all been too distant this past year. Unable to physically be with our friends has made it almost impossible to be present for one another and to literally walk alongside in life together. You may have been able to keep some relationships intact, while other friendships have suffered, battling our own feelings of isolation.

As we begin to heal from over a year of distance and explore navigating friendships wisely, here are a few small reminders on how to be a better friend to all in Christ.

Treat others the way they want to be treated

We’ve all heard of the Golden Rule, but this takes it one step further. God made us all so beautifully different and complex. Learning to treat others based on that friend’s lived experiences forces us to empathize in a deeper level. It requires us to think more of them and less of ourselves.

Listen well

A lot of times we desire to share all of our experiences in an effort to relate with others and create a connection. But in order to reach a friendship of depth and understanding, you must be committed to listening to each other. Practice hearing your friends and listening to what the Lord has put on their hearts in this season.

Sharpen one another

Being a good friend can sometimes require doing the hard thing. In order for the people of Christ to grow closer to Jesus, many times we need someone to give us a reminder of who we are whenever we stray. Holding each other accountable to the Word of God can be difficult, especially when a friend has drifted far from Christ. But when done out of love and compassion, it can produce long lasting fruit and a deeper friendship rooted in trust.

Quick to forgive

Let’s be honest, we are going to fail each other in one way or another. The longer a friendship, the more susceptible it is to mistakes. We must be quick to forgive others so that our love will show to the world around us.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  – John 13:34–35

For more on the topic of navigating friendships, be sure to check out this video series Not Alone on RightNow Media.