Why We Need Christian Friends

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25

Several years ago I went through something extremely life changing. I left my abusive husband to start a better life for my girls and me. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done because of the stronghold he had on my life. I left, but I felt completely ashamed. I felt like none of my Christian friends even understood, and I was no longer welcomed at my church because it was his family church. The only friends who I had left were the ones who didn’t encourage me to live my life for Christ. I spent the next few years rejecting everything I knew and living a life of sin.

However, at the end of 2015, I got remarried to a wonderful man who loves me and my children and suddenly we both knew we needed to turn our lives around. We began going back to church, and we turned our backs on a lot of things, including friends who weren’t the best influences in our lives. As our relationship grew, so did our relationship with Christ. What’s so amazing is that He always gives us the things we need.

We are now the youth leaders at our church where we have lots of friends and people who love us. He has also put two special ladies in my path at work that I can always go to. They pray for me and encourage me and keep me on the straight and narrow. It’s so important to have friends that encourage us in our faith. There are three reasons below why I feel this is so important.

1. To pray for us

Matthew 18:20 says, “For where two or three are gathered in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” We all need people to pray for us. I know the prayers of others have kept me safe so many times. But we also need people to agree with us in prayer. We need friends who will stop what they’re doing and pray right there.

2. To encourage us

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up.” Have you ever had those days where you just feel so discouraged? Those are the days we need godly friends. We don’t need people to gossip with or complain with. We need people who are going to tell us the truth even when it might hurt and put our feet back where they belong.

3. To follow Jesus’ lead

In Luke 10:1, Jesus sends out seventy followers to minister in His name. He doesn’t send them out separately though, he sends them out in pairs. He knows this is a cruel world that we live in, and He knows we need one another. We need others grounded in the faith.

Do you have a godly friend that helps you in your walk with Christ? We aren’t meant to walk this world alone. Find a church home and get plugged in if you don’t already have one.