«Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family, and do not go to your relative’s house when disaster strikes you— better a neighbor nearby than a relative faraway» (Proverbs 27:10, NW).
FRIENDSHIP
There’s lots to be said about friendship. But in today’s verse Solomon reminds us of three great truths to make good friends:
Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family. Life has many twists and turns. We all go through hard times that require a good friend’s comforting hand. When life’s tragedies strike your friends, where are you? Do you abandon them when life begins to smile on you, and you believe they’re no longer necessary? Keeping your friendships is an important sign of maturity. Also, the verse refers to strengthening the friendships your parents made with those who know you from the time you were a child. Don’t stop visiting them, calling them on the phone or sending them e-mail messages. Good friends are never a bother.
Do not go to your relative’s house when disaster strikes you. We all have problems and adverse circumstances. And that’s what friends are for, whether it be financial problems, love crises or hard times in school. But we have to learn to be careful not to turn to them only in the case of supposed tragedies in our lives. Who wants to be friends with someone who’s constantly brooding over their problems and can’t stop complaining? Taking on the role of victims doesn’t help to strengthen true friendships. Evoking pity from your friends will end up tiring them and distancing them from you.
Better a neighbor nearby than a relative faraway. Having friends is very important. When God created humans he said, «It is not good that man should be alone» (Genesis 2:18). Friends are a true comfort when you live thousands of miles from your relatives. The point is we all need people close to us to share our lives with them. That’s why it’s important not to distance ourselves from others and try to make friends wherever you live. So that should be a priority in your life.
One of the great tragedies nowadays is the absence of good friends in millions of people’s lives. However, these three recommendations given by Solomon will help you find, strengthen and improve your friendships.
Ask the Lord today for His power to implement these counsels in your life.