Between You And God #28

Dear God, How can I know if someone is a true friend?

Sometimes it’s hard to tell who is a true friend and who is a false friend. Let’s consider a few friendship facts:

1. Not all friends need to be your best friends. Some friends are really “acquaintances,” people we like but who really aren’t involved in our lives. It’s okay to have lots of acquaintances.
2. Not all friends are good friends. Friends who try to control you or treat you badly really aren’t friends. Sometimes we know that in our hearts, but we don’t want to face it. Don’t be afraid to leave bad friendships. God will replace them with good friendships.
3. True friends will allow you to put them first sometimes, but they will also put you first sometimes. Like a teeter-totter! Sometimes you’re up when they’re down. You give them a push, and for a while, you’re balanced. Sometimes they’re up when you’re down. They’ll give you a push, and then you’re balanced for a while. Real friendships are equal friendships.

God knows we care about friendships, so in his Word, he shows us many examples of true and false friends so we know what to look for. Job, for example, had many problems. His friends didn’t do and say everything right, but they came to be with him, and they focused on him when he was down. Sometimes they reminded Job of God’s goodness and power. When Job was down, they pushed him back up again!

God, the very best of true friends, sticks by you in good times and in bad. He will help you find true friends if you ask him.

How about You?

What does true friendship mean to you? How does Jesus model what a true friend is like? Who is a true friend to you? Have you thanked her lately?

God Says . . .

When three of Job’s friends heard of the tragedy he had suffered, they got together and traveled from their homes to comfort and console him. Job 2:11