“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing”

– 1 Thessalonians 5:11 KJV

With the craze of technology that we are experiencing, it looks like many of us enjoy spending time with ourselves, spending time on our phones than having meaningful friendships.

Does it seem you never have time to enjoy long conversations with the friends you have now? Do weeks go by without seeing your friends face-to-face? In most friendships, there is the friend who receives and the one who gives.

The giver is the one who goes out of her way to check on her friend, to be there when times are tough, to be available at a moment’s notice, to lend a listening ear, to help whenever and whatever the need might be, always investing time and effort, sometimes at her disadvantage, etc.

The receiver, on the other hand, is the one who is always taking advantage and asking for help, expecting a willing hand, venting personal grievances, complaining about the slightest slights, keeping a ledger of who has done more in the friendship, controlling most of the interaction that takes place in the friendship, etc.

So which kind of friend are you?

Peradventure, you have just discovered that you have been the receiver, always taking, never giving whether unintentionally or intentionally, it is possible to still be the right kind of friend.

Or you have always been the giver, never having time for yourself and investing in relationships, remember that you cannot give from an empty cup, it is good to set healthy boundary lines in your life.

Being the right kind of friend is important as we can honor God through those relationships.

A good friend is encouraging and positive

A good friend speaks the truth in love

A good friend is thoughtful

A good friend is loyal

A good friend is secure in her identity

A good friend forgives

A good friend makes peace

A good friend brings out the best in you

A good friend is not intimidated by your success

A good friend prays for you

A good friend loves you

I encourage you to examine these points in your life to ensure that you are being a godly friend.

Prayer Moment

• Father, I thank You for Your word to me today.

• Thank You for quality friends who help me build a stronger character and draw me closer to You.

• Help me be a friend to others and always love my friends. I will laugh with those who laugh, I will rejoice with those who rejoice, and I will weep with those who weep. Teach me what I need to know to be a quality friend.

• Develop in me a fun personality and a good sense of humor. Help me to relax around people and to be myself—the person You created me to be, Amen.

Think Over it

What is God saying to me today?