Submitted by Pastor Richard Boettner, Rock Port Baptist Church

I hope this article finds you enjoying a good summer season. It seems we all have time for more travel and family activities. Maybe if the work is heavy now some can travel in the fall season. I feel grateful also to be a native of Atchison County, and value the friends I have here, people whom I have known for my entire life, and those who knew my parents as well.

Please join me for a few thoughts on friendship from the book of Proverbs. I am certain when we understand and obey God’s Word we will experience good friendships along our spiritual journey.

1) Friends are critical to our good health and emotional well-being. Consider Proverbs 13:20: “walk with the wise and become wise.” Yes, who we hang out with, and spend time with, is who we tend to become.

2) Making friends takes some effort on our part. Consider Proverbs 18:24: “A man who would have friends must show himself friendly.” If loneliness is a problem start reaching out to people and be friendly. Talk less and listen more. Avoid complaining and start affirming and appreciating people. Your friendship list will definitely increase.

3) Your mature friends will stay with you no matter what. Consider Proverbs 17:17: “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” The trials or adversities of life do test our relationships. If we handle them well, friendships can actually deepen and grow better over time. I recommend a balance between transparency (talking about everything) and discretion (talking about nothing).

4) Friendships can be damaged and difficult to repair. Consider Proverbs 16:28: “A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.” When a relationship is hurt even by things that could be small or trivial, practice forgiveness, and give space for healing and understanding to grow. I also work on my own personality in the process and realize that even with good intentions my words or behavior can cause damage. This is a good reminder to stay humble and diplomatic with disagreements.

5) Above all, remember God as your best friend. Consider Proverbs 18:24: “One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” If we seek too many friends we will often feel overextended and disappointed that they don’t meet our needs. This is where it is essential to experience God as the One who is closer than a brother, always present, always reliable, always consistent, always providing, always caring, and always understanding.

Consider also John 15:15: “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” We can also take heart that Jesus is dwelling in us we can experience God’s fulness, with or without friends. He has promised to never leave us or forsake us (Matthew 28:20). In our service to Him we can move past just being servants or workers, and receive His promise to make us more than just servants, but FRIENDS.

As always feel free to contact me with any comments or questions at rpbaptistchurch@gmail.com.