Over my fifty plus years of being on this earthly journey I have come to realize the importance of not just good friends but godly friends. I’m not talking about just good ol’ buddies that you can hang out with at the football game or the bowling alley, but godly friends that you can count on when you are struggling. These friends are the ones who will encourage you daily to keep going when you feel like you have nothing left to give. They will pull you and push you to be a better person. Most of all, they will challenge you to dig deeper into your faith and to grow spiritually.

Of course it’s great to know lots of people and to have lots of friends, but usually God has handpicked a select group of friends for just you. This is your tribe, your crew and your go-to girls or guys who always seem to be there for you when you need them the most.

Proverbs 27:17 states “Iron sharpens iron” so friends sharpen the minds of each other. As we learn from each other, we find purpose in our relationships but we must keep a well-balanced friendship. This way we are always striving to please the Father rather than pleasing our friends.

Pleasing others can get you in trouble quickly. Because we often look at outer appearances and not the heart like God does, we miss the intent of one’s heart. Unfortunately bad friendships corrupt good people and good morals. So we need to seek quality friendships that build up strong Christian character. We also need to be that friend that points to Christ.

I believe God literally has placed divine connections for all of us. There are places we are supposed to go and people we are supposed to meet, all for God’s purpose and design.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11) Once during a fierce battle Moses’ arms grew tired, so Aaron and Hur brought a stone for him to sit on, and they stood beside him and held up his arms until the sun set and the battle was won. Sometimes I sit back in amazement that our Creator even cares who is beside us and holding up our arms.

So be careful who you choose to have a close friend because they will either make you or break you. But ask God to develop your character through godly friendships and a good sense of humor. Learn that if you have godly friends you can relax and be yourself because they are trustworthy and want what is best for you.

One of my favorite scriptures is Prov. 17:17 “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” That means if you are a true friend you love them on their good days and their bad days, when they’re happy and when they’re sad. You love them with agape love – the highest form of love, God’s love. The Bible says that God is love so how can we ever separate ourselves from His divine goodness, compassion and mercy.

One thing I hold dearest to my heart is my relationship with Jesus Christ Himself. He is my best friend – the One that I adore most. He’s a Friend Who sticks closer than a brother and then He even goes one step further and He laid down His life for me. John 15:13 says “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

I know I could never repay the price He paid for me, but I can get up every day and be thankful for the godly friends God has placed in my path and grateful that He saved me for such a time as this.