
I genuinely believe that one of the best parts of living is having a friend/friends that you can go through life with. Funny enough, I’m not sure that I always felt this way. Sometimes our negative experiences can blind us to the truth and have us thinking that we can live without the things that God put on this Earth as a blessing for us.
I now know that walking in friendship with others, is such a pivotal key in running my race as a Christian. As I talked with the Lord, He reminded me of a few things that are necessary to have within a friendship. Just as a builder needs specific materials and elements to create a firm foundation of a building, we also need specific traits or spiritual fruits to help strengthen our walk with each other.
Trust
I know that walking in trust can be a tricky one because of the enemy’s tactics of betrayal, dishonesty, and unforgiveness. However, we are called to be in trust of others, especially those we call friends.
One of the ways that the Lord has taught me to walk in trust, is to not focus on the negative. I remember I would go through times where I would assume that one of my friends had ill intentions towards me because of their actions. While in some cases it is true, it’s often just the enemy taking something so small and twisting it into negativity so that our friendships no longer prosper and we no longer think purely towards each other.
Even though it can be hard, try your best to trust others just as you would want them to trust you- not assuming that you are doing something wrong when you aren’t. It also helps when our trust of the Lord is high, because in times of uncertainty we can lean on Him for His counsel and direction in our friendships.
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
Acceptance
There is no greater freedom on this Earth, then being able to just be yourself! While we’re at work, we have to show great professionalism or if we are a Coach, we have to embody leadership and discipline while coaching our team. There are many different aspects in our lives that call us to put on different hats and walk in the skills that they require. However, when you are with your friends there should be a great level of acceptance for you to be able to relax, be vulnerable and come as you are.
You shouldn’t have to impress your friends with trendy clothes or slang. You also shouldn’t have to diminish your light around them in order to be received. True acceptance is to come as you are and be loved from that place.
The Lord has been a great example for this as well. Even though we have to recognize when we are wrong, He still accepts us as we are and is patient as we spend time growing and evolving into the person He has called us to be.
"Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another." Romans 12:10
Humility

Humility, I believe, translates to the longevity of friendships. To remain a good friend, you have to be humble in every interaction/conversation with your friends and not esteem yourself to be better than they are.
Enmity towards humility is pride and arrogance. Humility also avoids strife and contention- feeling like you have to have the last word when you disagree. With everything in you, seek to be humble and walk with grace in your friendships; admitting your faults and asking for forgiveness in return.
“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” Philippians 2:3
Love
If you know the Lord, then you knew love was coming! Like stated in Galatians 5:14, “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”
If you love your friends you will trust them. If you love your friends you will accept them as they are. If you love your friends, you will walk in humility with them. Every good thing in relationships can be fulfilled by showing love towards each other.
As I’ve grown, I’ve seen that these different traits have matured in me as well. I remember going through a long period of time where I would pray for Godly friendships and it seemed like it was taking a long time for me to get them. The truth is, I wasn’t fully ready for them. If I would've brought who I was at the time into the friendships that I have now, they probably wouldn’t have lasted long. But here is a key to be able to uphold all of these things in friendships: walk in trust, acceptance, humility, and love with the Lord first and He will be able to help you carry these very things out with one another.
Follow Christ and all things will be perfected along the way.
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