From biblical perspective:
*"A friend loves at all times,* and a brother is born for a time of adversity."
Proverbs 17:17
Friendship is a relationship of mutual affection between people. It is a stronger form of interpersonal bond than an association, and has been studied in academic fields such as communication, sociology, social psychology, anthropology, and philosophy.
Source: Wikipedia
The Bible shows what we should look for in a friend—which is also what we should be as a godly friend.
True friends stay by our sides not only to have fun, but also to support and motivate us as we run the race God has set before us.
This is the kind of companionship Solomon described in Ecclesiastes 4:9, 11-12. He wrote, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. … Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. … Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.”
Furtherance to this Bible says, "A man that hath friends *must shew himself friendly* and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother."
Proverbs 18:24
The message rendition says:
Friends come and friends go,
but *a true friend sticks by you like family.*
Proverbs 18:24
We’ve probably all encountered people who stick around only when it’s convenient or when they’re getting what they want out of the relationship. These are * Fair-weather friends. These are persons whose friendship cannot be relied on in times of difficulty.
*Nevertheless, Proverbs 17:17 says, *“A friend loves at all times.”* True friends choose to focus on what they can give to each other, rather than on what they might get.
Romans 12:15 says, “rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” Sharing another’s pain isn’t something people typically want to do, but the first half of this verse can be just as unnatural. Many times in our dog-eat-dog world, people find themselves competing with friends, sinking to envy if a companion one-ups them. In stark contrast, godly friends rejoice in each other’s achievements, successes and blessings. Each person wants the other to do well, even if it means being outshined by him or her. Godly friends find true happiness in each other’s happiness, always cheering the other on to do his or her very best.
Godly friends engage in meaningful conversations to clarify and deepen their understanding of God’s Word (Proverbs 27:17; Malachi 3:16).
It’s not that everything said has to be deep or profound. But with a true, biblical friendship, it never seems awkward to talk about God’s plan and what He is doing in our lives.
True friends will go a step further and offer sincere, loving correction when it’s called for. “This gentle honesty is something that sets true friendships apart from superficial ones,” Proverbs 27:5-6 tells us, “Open rebuke is better than love carefully concealed. Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” Godly friends will tell you if you are making a serious mistake in your life—even if it stings a bit. We all have blind spots, and sometimes we need another set of spiritual eyes to help us stay on the right path.
In order to support others, we have to be aware of what’s going on in their lives. We can’t possibly know what other people’s struggles, concerns, challenges, hopes and dreams are if we don’t make the time to engage in real conversations with them. There may be people you know who you really like, but if you don’t spend quality, one-on-one time with them, you’re never going to move from a ‘casual connection’ to something more meaningful.
You cannot embrace everyone as a friend but Bible commands us to LIVE AT PEACE with everyone, both friends and adversaries. Be choosy when making friends. It is not everyone that deserves to be your friend.
A couple must be the best of friends if their marriage will be smooth and enjoyable. Both husband and wife made and had friends before marriage. These friends must become friends to the couple. Anyone of these friends who for one reason or the other cannot be introduced to your spouse as a friend or accepted as a friend by your spouse must be cut off.
Additionally, anyone who cannot be friends with your children cannot be counted as your friend. If you are afraid, feeling shy or do not feel safe or comfortable to have someone you call a friend to be friends with your family especially spouse and children please you are in for trouble. Proverbs 27:10 says "Don't leave your friends or your parents' friends and run home to your family when things get rough; Better a nearby friend than a distant family."
Finally Bible says, "And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise."
Luke 6:31
So, if you want your friends to treat you with respect you must treat them with respect.
Bro Ritchie Edukwesi WOANYA
