Women Need Friendship

Someone once said, “A true friend reaches for your hand and touches your heart.”

While I was on Spring Break with the family, I received this Facebook message:

Hi Michelle,
I was reading your blog post titled “A coffee night brings laughter”, I wonder if you could help me with something that I am struggling with. I am a born again Christian who loves God and her family, but I can’t seem to make any good friends. My husband is my best friend, and I certainly try to be a friend and help people out, but I have never been able to make any really close friends. Is there something wrong with me? Has this ever happened to you? Can you give me any advice on what I can do? Please don’t get me wrong, I’m a happy Christian and I’m thankful for the good relationship that I have with my husband . . . But oftentimes I long to enjoy the good friendship with some of the ladies that are in my church.

Most every woman longs to have at least one good friend.

What are some of the things that the Bible teaches us that a woman is looking for in a good friend?

They are looking to be genuinely loved by them.
Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

They are looking to be genuinely encouraged by them to grow in the right direction.

Proverbs 27:17 says,“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”

They are looking for them to give them the right advice when they need it.

Proverbs 27:9 says, “Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart:so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.”

They are looking to be genuinely helped during their time of need.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.”

A good friend is someone that genuinely cares about you and your needs.

So as we continue this discussion on friendship this week, I want to ask you this question, are you BEING a good friend to your friends?

Are you loving your friends, even when they are having a tough time?

Are you giving them the right counsel when they come to you for advice?

Are you encouraging them to grow in the right direction?