As Christian women, it’s so important that we fight for our Godly friendships and keep them strong. Discover the beauty of being a godly friend and experience the joy of a genuine Christian community.
The Power of Godly Friendships – 5 Key Qualities
As the saying goes, laughter is good medicine.
In the past, there might have been a desire within you to obtain any quality that guided you toward this direction – superficial happiness. Now, as we age, we want meaningful relationships. We desire to have Godly friendships.
They are different from having work acquaintances to friends that have similar passions. You see, the world likes to play this game. Friends can’t be friends without a little social competition. And at a certain point, we become tired of the semantics. From early on, we have been conditioned to outdo our friends or possess more.
It is awful to say, but I lost a friendship in my early twenties because my best friend at the time thought she deserved my then-boyfriend more than I did. Needless to say, I have been married to this boyfriend for almost 20 years now and we have two amazing teenagers.
Let’s be honest … It’s hard to make friends. Worldly friendships are about the “what’s in it for me” factor.
- How can these friends fill the void that is missing?
- How can they overcome my fear of not doing life alone?
It is like we have been placed on a deserted island and have been forced to work together in hopes of surviving. However, our longing to have a deeper friendship, and not just superficial communication with a little “healthy” competition, can and will get us kicked off. Because if no one gaining, no one is winning.
Nevertheless, we understand that meaningful Christian relationships are different. No matter our backgrounds, we have one thing in common – God! He changes everything. A God-filled friendship is not self-seeking, it is encouraging. Godly friends are life-transforming and not damaging. They are the jewels found in a well-built and hidden treasure box. You simply can’t walk on the beach to stumble upon them. You have to do the work to discover them.
Let’s face it, Godly friendships just don’t happen because of a common interest. You have to cultivate them. Let’s remove the negativity that comes with trying to make new friends and lean into these five key qualities of having Godly friendships.
Encourage Growth in Christ
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11
When we deeply love God, we can deeply love our friends—caring for their concerns, holding them during sorrowful times, and rejoicing in celebration. Companionship is a joy. It fills our bucket and encourages us on our walk with Christ. Faith-building friendships are not superficial. They are not interested in accolades, possessions, or conditions, but in honest conversations that encompass the love of God.
Real friendships tune out the worldly must-haves and tune into the Word of God. Uplifting each other in every circumstance.
A Source of Support Through Prayer
“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.” Ecclesiastes 4:10
We can be friendly to a great number of people, but we can’t call them all friends. The promises of God’s word anchor Christian friendships. The foundation of our faith can lead us to be of service to others. We want to love because God loved us first. Praying for each other is a characteristic of supportive friendships.
Praying removes us from isolation. Though we can’t change our circumstances, a praying and supportive friend can keep us from feeling lonely. Drawing nearer to God through prayer enables us to be a blessing to those around us.
Is Trustworthy and Honest
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” Romans 12:10
Bridging the gap of trust is hard. Wanting and having great friends means we must often be vulnerable and step out of our comfort zones. Even after walking through various friendship breakups, the hardest part is saying “hello” to a potential new friend. It takes time to form deep connections and build the kind of trust where any relationship feels safe.
We must be willing to do it, anyway. Jesus showed love to everyone. Even those soldiers who came to take him away to be crucified, he showed love by healing an ear, Peter cut off. We can only expect to gain trust if we are also willing to extend our trust to others.
Shares in Joys and Sorrows
“There is no greater friendship than a sweet one that refreshes the soul.” Proverbs 27:9.
Loneness is a genuine fear. If we don’t have someone’s shoulder to cry on or have a cheerleader pushing us through the difficult times, we can feel lost in isolation. God created us to be relational beings. It is woven into our souls. For without fellowship we find despair.
We can show God’s love by sharing in each other’s burdens. It won’t change the situation, but it will certainly make it feel lighter. Just as sharing with each other and celebrating in their wins. Joy becomes greater when it is shared.
Is a reflection of God’s Love
While speaking to His disciples during the last supper, Jesus said, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:12-13.
Being part of a Christian community is wonderful. We can find an outreach of love on Sunday mornings in the house of the Lord. However, we often fail to develop and nurture these relationships into deeper ones outside of church. It’s easy to get caught up in our own busyness of life, skipping right past those whom God loves deeply. If we walk in and out of church without ever interacting, how are we supposed to develop Godly friendships?
Jesus never bypassed people because of His schedule. He always showed compassion and love. We need friends who talk about things that matter, make us laugh, and are not afraid to get on their knees in prayer with us. We must remember friends just don’t say friends without us putting in the work.
Today, let’s press into our friendships, including those we consider acquaintances. And simply be on God’s community outreach team.
Are you looking for accountability in this area? I can help.
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Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another…”
Read More on Jen Schreiner
- How to Move Forward When You Feel Stuck
- Recognizing Our True Enemy: A Call to Focus on Faith
- The Power of Godly Friendships – 5 Key Qualities
- Why Isn’t God Answering My Prayers
- 5 Astonishing Facts About God
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