Grace.
A FRIEND IS A GIFT OF GOD.
A friend is one of God's greatest blessings. But friends do not just happen. Solomon said, " A man that hath friends must show himself friendly; and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." (Proverbs 18:24).
Please note this following
I WENT OUT TO FIND A FRIEND, BUT COULD NOT FIND ONE THERE.I WENT OUT TO BE FRIEND AND FRIENDS WERE EVERYWHERE!
In times of trouble friends can give encouragement and understanding. In times of temporal need they can give assistance.
In times of weakness they can give much strength. In times of joy they can rejoice with us.
In times of sorrow they can give sympathy and comfort. And also they are one of the greatest motivating influences in helping us grow strong in the Lord. With a friend we can share the hidden thoughts of the heart.
We can share joys and sorrows, happiness and despair, laugh and shed tears with out being ashamed. Solomon said, " A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." (proverbs17;17).
A friend is a friend even when we are in adverse circumstances or in trouble or in sickness. Friend ship does not depend upon our material situation, possessions or circumstances. Friendship knows no barriers of race, religion or social position.
When our friends have need of us- our time, our possessions-we will be thankful for the opportunity to serve, to share, to be a part of the solution, to be a concerned listener, no matter what the need may be, nor how untimely it may be for us.