9 January 2024 - This year don’t forget your friends

Friends are important – they give us a sense of belonging, bring fun and laughter, lend an extra hand, offer emotional support, and give guidance when we need it. And, whether you realise it or not, their influence goes well beyond the moment. Your close friendships help to shape the course of your life.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12(NIV) Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labour: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Proverbs 18:24(ESV) A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 27:10(MSG) Don’t leave your friends or your parents’ friends and run home to your family when things get rough; Better a nearby friend than a distant family.

Proverbs 22:24-25(NIV) Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.

Each friend influences us in a different way. Some may be a positive influence while others may have a negative influence. What impact do you have on your friends?

Friendships can have the following impact on your life: • Encouragement - 1 Thessalonians 5:11(ESV) Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

• Challenge you - A true friendship makes you better. Proverbs 27:17(ESV) Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:5(ESV) Better is open rebuke than hidden love.

• Show grace - True friendships endure the (sometimes) difficulties of relationships, forgive when needed, and love even when it hurts. A true friendship isn’t one-sided; both are willing to lay down their life for the other. Galatians 6:1-3(MSG) Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived.

You may wonder why it’s important to have friendship goals. Friends can have a significant influence on us. Setting friendship goals is important for our overall well-being. And it’s not so much about how many friends you have, but how valued they are. Spend quality time with your good friends. Treat your friends how you want to be treated by them. By doing so you will foster your good friendships. “I cannot even imagine where I would be today were it not for that handful of friends who have given me a heart full of joy. Let's face it, friends make life a lot more fun.” - Charles R. Swindoll