![[GospelWeb.net Globe]](../graphics/GW90logo.gif)
|
|
A real friend does not judge, criticize, or condemn. A real friend encourages, loves, and cheers us on. We need to be an encouragement to one another because all of us crave and need love, acceptance, and friendship.
One of the greatest examples of friendship that I have ever seen was on television. I saw soldiers risking their lives to rescue a fellow soldier who had been shot. I don’t think the soldier said to the one he rescued “You should have ducked”. I think he held his friend and said “It’s going to be okay, just hang on”.
There are many people who are going through divorce, difficult situations with their children, financial hardships, and health problems. They desperately need a friend to hold them and say “Hang on; it’s going to be okay”. What they don’t need is someone to point out their mistakes and tell them all the things they are doing wrong. They just need to be loved and accepted for who they are and where they are in their life.
If you know someone who is hurting in any area of his or her life, then you have a responsibility to pray for that person and to encourage that person. The Greatest Friend that anyone could ever have is our Blessed Saviour, Jesus! He Loves us even when we make mistakes. He doesn’t criticize us, put us down, or condemn us. He opens His Arms wider and waits for us to run into them. What an awesome privilege to be loved by Jesus!