We were created by God to have a relationship with Him and with others. The Bible clearly states that we have a need for strong and healthy relationships, and in Ecclesiastes Solomon writes about some of the wonderful benefits of having meaningful relationships with others.
Solomon writes about three particular areas that you will be blessed by friends.
First, a friend will help you up after you have fallen. Of course, this could be figurative, as a friend can help you to recover and “get back on your feet.”
Second, a friend or loved one will help to warm you in the cold by staying close by.
Third, when you face danger in your life, a friend will help to defend you.
These three examples speak to us of problems we cause ourselves, hardships produced by natural forces over which we have no control, and danger that comes from the bad choices or actions of others. Quite honestly, I can’t think of any type of problem that doesn’t fall into one of these three categories.
Solomon reminds us that friends will be there for us regardless of the situation and the circumstances. Following this, Solomon tells us that three is better than two!
Go out and make some new friends and build stronger, healthier relationships. Many of us hold back and “protect” ourselves by not letting others too close. Usually this is a result of hurt from poor relationships in the past, but we need to put that behind us and move forward to build good friendships.
Lord, I thank you for the amazing friends that have blessed my life. Thank you for the many things that they do for me and for how they show their love. I hope and pray that I can be as good a friend to them.
Dr. Ann Shorb is a counselor with CCES in southern PA. CCES offers Marriage Counseling, Pre Marital Counseling, and help for a number of other issues.
Tags: bible, christian, Christianity, ecclesiastes, friends, friendship, old testament, relationships, religion, solomon