March 25, 2026
Friends enrich our lives. We rely on them for so much. If we get a flat tire in traffic and need to be rescued, we call a friend. If we are in a meeting that runs long and we have a child who needs to be picked up at school, we call a friend. I have found the truest and most authentic friends of my life in my church. I belong to a Women’s Group that meets on Tuesday mornings. We study and discuss books, we do Bible Studies and we have members lead with topics that are on their hearts. Women are nurturing and comforting by nature and when comfort is needed, they always rise to the occasion.
Friendship can be a blessing or a curse. In an earlier message I talked about the darker side of friendship where pressure can lead to poor choices and severe consequences. Friends we make in church are usually beneficial. Sure, they are human so some worldly behaviors or issues can arise. I have church friends I would trust with my life. We understand offense and recently agreed to always address anything that could lead to hurt feelings. Offense opens the door to leaving. It is an avenue for the enemy to dust off old wound’s others have inflicted and reignite old anger which we now apply to a new friend. All offense is wasted effort, lost affection and a negative behavior. If we feel offended, let us go to our friend, confess we may have taken something they said or did wrongly and heal those feelings before they gain traction and lead to losses.
Lord God, I thank You for my friends. I thank You for putting people in my life, for trusting me to appreciate them. It is a joy to watch You bless them and an even greater joy when I get to bless them too. May I always pray for and support the ones You place in my life. If they are in need and they don’t want to trouble me, please place them on my heart so I will call and find out what is going on. God, please help me be a good and loving friend to others. May I be comfort and encouragement, sacrificial and willing to go an extra mile when I am asked. May I be a friend You are happy to bring to Your favorite daughters.
However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” Mark 5:19