Just the Two of Us: A 7-Day Devotional for Teen Girls to Increase Intimacy With GodSample

FRIENDSHIPS

Connecting is a God gift. He designed us to desire the company of each other. As Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 shares,

“Two people are better than one. They can help each other in everything they do. Suppose someone falls. Then his friend can help him up. But suppose the man who falls doesn’t have anyone to help him up. Then feel sorry for him!”

Haven’t you ever noticed how great you feel after hanging out with good friends? Science has proven the positive chemicals of dopamine and oxytocin are released when you are in good company. This, in turn, allows us to feel happier and calmer. What a great benefit of developing positive friendships. The keyword here is “positive.” What qualities does a good friend look like to you? Being trustworthy, loving, and honest are just a few qualities I think of when I think of some of my good friends. They are also loyal. They lift me when I am down. My good friends are dependable, accountable, and above all, godly.

You see, a good friend will be a godly friend. They will never entice you to do things not pleasing to God. A good friend will be loving and bring joy to your life. When I think of Abraham being called a friend of God, I think about how high of an honor this was. Not everyone received this title. We can be this way with our circle of friends as well. Not everyone should be called a friend. We must recognize friendship as a sacred vow. We must first know how to be a good friend to receive friendship in return. As Matthew 7:12 shares, “do to others whatever you would have them do unto you.” If we are not willing to treat others positively, how could we hold others to this standard? As I shared before, connecting is a God gift, and friendship is a sacred vow. True friends will always encourage you to do the right thing, even when our flesh screams to do the opposite.

I challenge you to take a close look at your friendships. Do they reflect the God in you? Do they treat you as you treat them? Cherish those who bring joy and be willing to sever ties with those who would entice you to do anything opposite from what God calls you to do. You are worth having positive friendships, but never forget that you must first be this good friend.