Your First Friendship

When it comes to friendship, we like to think we have it all figured out. And if we don’t, then we assume there must be something wrong with our innate ability to form healthy friendships. We may be haunted by the lie that everyone has friends, and we wonder—why is it so hard for me? Why do I keep feeling disconnected, underappreciated, or left out? You were created for connection, and the balm to your hurting and broken narratives is to remember that you have the perfect friend in Jesus.

Before you step into authentic friendship, it’s important to make time for your first friendship—with Jesus. Jesus is the perfect friend because He knows. He knows what it is like to be rejected, to have rumors circulating about Him, and to care so intimately for His friends—who still ran away when things got uncomfortable!

So whenever you feel burned out, rejected, lonely, or nervous about friendship, remember that Jesus calls you into intimate friendship (see John 15:15). He sees you, and He makes God’s love known to you! He will “equip you with everything good that you may do his will” (Hebrews 13:21, ESV)—even the good work of friendship.

Spend some time with Him today. Pray with Him over your friendship struggles and desires. Abide in Him, and He will produce the fruit you long to see in your friendships.

Pray

“God, I long to see richness in my friendships. Help me put our friendship first and allow your love to overwhelm me. Prepare me to love others generously.”