A friend is someone who is there for you in a time of need to listen, laugh and cry with. They are the ones who support your dreams and encourage your goals. They lift you up when you are down and celebrate when you are high. A friend is someone whom you feel comfortable sharing personal experiences and you can trust that they are reliable.
Although, a friend should meet all of these expectations, a real friend should be able to pray for you. As believers, it is crucial that we surround ourselves with praying friends. Friends who pray over you and with you. A real friend understands that change happens with prayer. If you want to overcome heartbreak, deal with family issues or solve work related problems, praying is the way to do it. Prayer brings peace, understanding and closure.
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another – [Proverbs 27:17]
A friend should be able to meet the physical need of wiping away tears or offering hugs in a time of need. They should be able to meet emotional needs by lending a listening ear and speaking love into your heart. However, a real friend is able to meet your spiritual needs through prayer and the word of God. Spiritual friends speak to your soul and are aware of the spiritual realm. They have faith and believe that God is in control and are there to remind you of this truth. They are able to help you see worldly perspectives as well as spiritual points of view.
Friendships are by choice. You have the power to choose who should be in your life and who should be removed. The people you surround yourself with influence the person you become. It is vital to keep positive, God-fearing people in your circle. Life is too short to spend time working on relationships that do not meet these three aspects of your life; Physical, Emotional and Spiritual.
“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” – Ecclesiastes 4:9-12