The Blessings of Friendship

As you focus on the things you’re most grateful for this week of Thanksgiving, today is a great day to turn your focus to the blessing of friendship.

While relationships can look different for different people, consider some of your most cherished relationships. What do you love most about that person? Does he or she push you to be a better person? Does he or she encourage you? Have you been through difficult times or shared some of the most treasured memories of your life with that person. Whatever the case, use this as an opportunity to reach out and share your feelings.

Even if you have some friendships that have changed into something a little more negative, perhaps this is an opportunity to consider the positive things that still exist, or used to exist, within that relationship. Perhaps consider whether or not it’s worth rekindling that friendship.

Also as you consider the blessings of friendship, here are some verses from the Bible:

Ecclesiastes 4:9–12
Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

John 15:13–15
There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.

Proverbs 22:24–25
Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people, or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul.

Proverbs 27:9
The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.

Proverbs 27:5-6
An open rebuke is better than hidden love! Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.