The Blessing of Girlfriends

Friends are balm for the soul and a HUGE blessing in so many ways!

And our girlfriends are a special gift from God. The benefits of friendship are plentiful! Proverbs 27:9 tells us, “Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.” When we face difficulties, friends help us though with love, support, encouragement, and empathy. They cheer us on and dry our tears. They also hold us accountable. (Only a very good friend would discourage dessert if she noticed your jeans were getting a little tight!)

Girlfriends are there to celebrate mountaintop experiences and to walk through dark valleys in life. God gives us girlfriends as a present, to be present when accomplishments need celebrating or events are heartbreaking. We are to be there for one another. Scripture tells us, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is the Father who is full of mercy and all comfort. He comforts us every time we have trouble, so when others have trouble, we can comfort them with the same comfort God gives us” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). We learn through our friends and experiences how to be a blessing to others, to be the hands and feet of our Savior.

When looking at friendships, there are three types: Silver, Gold and, I Need Help NOW. Silver friends are typically short term. They’re those people in life we become friends with for a specific reason or for a specific time in life. Gold friendships are those that have withstood the test of time. You know… the girlfriend you haven’t seen in ages but when you do get together, you pick up right where you left off. Then there are what I call 3:00 AM friends. If I need help in the middle of the night, these are the people I would immediately call. (First, because they love me. Second, because they wouldn’t be irritated by a late night call. And third, because they know I’d do the same for them!)

Friendships need to be intentional. How often do you get together with your good friends? The Internet, long work hours, a transient society, and busy schedules make time for social gatherings difficult. Toss in the responsibilities of being a parent or caring for an elderly parent and it’s even harder to find the time and energy to put into relationships. But don’t let that hold you back. You are the friendship model for your children. It’s good for kids to see Mom enjoying her friends.

Scripture tells us are wired for relationships; first with the Lord and then with others he has placed in our path. We’re to choose our friends wisely. “The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray” (Proverbs 12:26). Choose well and cherish deeply those he has given to you as a gift.

In the joyful and the dreadful, reach out to your girlfriends to celebrate or commiserate. Plan a lunch date or a fun night out. Maybe even make plans for an adventure. Most of all be thankful! Each girlfriend is a precious gift, from God to you.

What’s your favorite girlfriend outing?

Friends are balm for the soul. @BeckyDanielson1 @Grit_Grace
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