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PROGRAM D-7322
Ask yourself, “How can we be a better friend?” Friendships are so critical in our lives; I can’t imagine how I’d make it without my friends, can you? But it’s important that we make certain we’re the kind of friend we should be.
In Romans 12:15-16, we have some important instructions on being a good friend: “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another.”
When was the last time you cried with a friend? You know, when someone’s hurting, you don’t have to have answers to be able to help them. Just be there and cry with them. Often we make the mistake of trying to talk to our friends who are in pain, trying to come up with answers and words that will help them. They don’t need words; they know Romans 8:28. What they need is a friend who says, “I’m so sorry,” and who just simply cries and hurts with them.
And when was the last time you rejoiced with a friend who had some good news? I think that may be harder for us to do than weeping with our friends. For example, a single person whose friend just became engaged, may find that old monster, jealousy, starts creeping in and may find it difficult to really rejoice with the friend who is getting married. Or if you’ve been hoping for a raise, you may find it difficult to rejoice with a friend who just got one.
A good friend throws parties for others; gives showers for new babies and weddings; takes a friend out to celebrate a promotion; writes notes of congratulations when a friend has some success. Are you that kind of friend?
In that 16th verse of Romans 12, Paul says very simply “Live in harmony with one another.” In Hebrews 12 we read: “Make every effort to live in peace…” A good friend is one who promotes harmony and peace. A peacemaker is blessed, Jesus said. Are you the kind of friend who settles arguments, forgets wrongs done, and overlooks the little things that often cause tension and harm to friendships? That’s what we should be for our friends.