Throughout most of my life, I have wondered how many true friends I really have. It’s easy for people to say, “I’m praying for you” or “I think of you even when I don’t write,” but I always wondered if that were really the case (although I am guilty of thinking of people more than I write as well).
Lately, I have realized that I do have a few close friends, and I sometimes wonder why since many seem to have none.
John 15:13 tells us: “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”
I used to interpret this in terms of dying, but that is not the only way to lay down a life. I have been blessed lately by friends who are willing to serve me, going far and above the call of duty, and I’ve decided nothing says friendship like that does. I am very blessed to have a family that loves me and does so much for me but I’m not sure how to handle it when others do those same things for me. At the same time, I’m very grateful when they do.
I am also thankful for friends who text and email me just to see how I’m doing. This takes a bit of time and thought on my friends’ part so speaks “care” to me as well.
And last but not least are the friends I know who pray for me frequently. I know this is often what gets me through life. Without this, I’m convinced my struggles would be greater so I do not take this for granted.
True friendship can be measured in different ways. What means a lot to me may not mean a lot to you but the point is that the world is in need of people who really care. Christians should radiate love to everyone around them.
Christians should be trustworthy, not given to gossip or slander. Too often, people suffer in silence because they don’t know who to trust, and the fact is they may not have anyone to trust. This is so sad.
You are called to be a Light in a dark world. Part of being that Light is being different. The only one you should be comparing yourself to is Christ. He epitomized love and care and compassion, and He wanted His children to extend that same love, care, and compassion to others. Instead, we tend to focus on ourselves and our needs that we forget about those who could use a kind, comforting word.
If you have a true friend in your life, someone you can lean on in your times of trial, who will pray with you when you need it and never make you feel like a burden, take time to tell that friend how thankful you are to have them in your life, and be sure to pray for them in return.
If there are people that God has put in your life to be a friend to, be faithful to be that true friend that points them to Jesus and shows them His love. After all, you may be the only true friend they ever have.
Christ Alone Wyoming 
Sis. Sony, this blogpost is so poignant for a number of reasons, not least because it is truly hard to find a real friend. Friends come and they go many times based on circumstances – moves, jobs, churches, family disagreements, just to name a few. To be able to have a friend to lean on though, even in the midst of extreme heartache, pain, difficulties, never-ending trials, and times of feeling the loneliness that Paul endured — that is rare. That type of friend does not come along very often. We know that there is one Friend who sticks closer than a brother and that is Jesus Christ. That in itself is a great comfort to the believer. Yet, there is something to be said for a friend who will walk through a storm to help you get to shelter. These words along with the last few posts have been a great encouragement. Thank you for sharing.
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To add one other thought, I think we live in a day and age where people are afraid to be real. If you dare to show the real side of you, the deep pain, then you are often considered weak. I have seen it too many times even in church where people leave because they hate facing the reality of knowing they are worshipping with people who make mistakes, who sin regularly, and yet who only exist because of the Lord Jesus Christ living in and through them. The sight of the sinner often overwhelmingly seems to swallow up the picture of Jesus Christ, and those you thought were friends disappear like the morning mists before the rising sun.
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Spot on, Sony. An all too often neglected subject.
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You wrote: Lately, I have realized that I do have a few close friends, and I sometimes wonder why since many seem to have none.
Perhaps Pogo has the answer. I has found the enemy and the enemy is us. Is the modern church service, conducive to forming close and supportive friends in Christ? When we gather together for fellowship, we meet we greet we eat we disperse and go home with no friendships grown. We have heard a sermon of which we will retain less than 5% of it after 2 days have passed.
So many return home wondering why, ” they have none”, irrespective of countless attempts.
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Good article.
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