A person of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother or sister. —Proverbs 18:24.
Close spiritual friends are rare — especially friends who will hold us accountable when we need it most, build us up when we’re down, and celebrate with us when we’ve enjoyed success. Unfortunately, many people are terribly lonely in our modern world and they don’t have that kind a friend. They’re lonely for something, or better yet, someone they’ve never experienced. In modern culture, we tend to have acquaintances and social media “friends” instead of genuine friends. When things go poorly for us or when we have nothing to offer to others, our acquaintances can run away in times of trouble or fade away if our problems are ongoing. True friends do exist. Their commitment and dedication can even run deeper than our physical family. How do I know?
God promised it! I’ve seen it! My family has been blessed by it! So let’s hear the call to be that kind of friend to others; in so doing, we will often find that kind of friend for ourselves — a friend that sticks closer than a physical brother or sister.