4 Traits of a Best Friend
As you traverse through life, family, and friends are the anchor you lean on when you experience trials in your life.
For me, since my family moved numerous times, I had to rebuild friendships in each new school and neighborhood. This became difficult as a teenager and, regrettably, I don’t have a lifetime friend.
Each friendship taught me different aspects of who I am, and I’m grateful for each one. They listened to my rantings, supported and encouraged me. However, friends in my life have been like an ocean wave, present in the peak of my life but recede when out of sight. Having said this, I’ve never been without friends.
Friendship is essential to personal growth. If you have a few you can depend on, no matter the circumstance, they’re like family. As friends know you in a different way than your parents. They know your secrets, quirks, idiosyncrasies, shared when you have trust and confidence in the friendship. They’re a shoulder to cry on, a warm hug—and friends have a knack of saying exactly what you need to hear.
4 Traits of a Best Friend
Loyalty—friends are genuinely present when you need them. They don’t make excuses, nor are they jealous, as they celebrate every part of you.
Honesty—they’re honest, don’t lie, betray your trust, or take advantage of you.
Loving—no matter your emotional state they don’t run away. They love you unconditionally, don’t judge or place expectations on you.
Supportive—friends offer words of encouragement, advice, support your decisions, and help you in time of need.
Yet are they willing to lay down their life for you? I believe many are willing, but others may flee in fear.
I have one very special friend. A friend who laid down His life for me. He was spat on, ridiculed, flogged, beaten, and nailed on a cross to save my life.
John 15:13
"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."
He is faithful, compassionate, understanding, and merciful. He sacrificed not only His life but His position, a position of great power. He knows the darkness in my heart, yet He loves every strand of hair on my head and loves me more than each grain of sand on earth. His love is an endless love.
Psalm 139:17-18, states, "How precious are your thoughts about me, O God! They cannot be numbered! I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand!".
He keeps no record of my wrongdoings.
I may not see or feel Him, but I know He is with me. He’s there in the morning rays, present in the magenta sky as day slips to darkness. He is with me with every tear and joyful sound.
Although, at times, my heart resists Him, He stands along the shore waiting for me to open my heart to Him. He is patient, kind, and knows what’s best for me. More importantly, He will never leave me.
Hebrews 13:5
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
He has my heart, and I know I’m never alone.
Someday, I will walk beside Him, in the glowing light, the harmony of song, and the embrace of forever love. A day, where I’ll be free to love and be loved without judgement or conditions.
Such a day that will be.
The good news...His friendship is offered to anyone who seeks Him. There is no favoritism, only love, forgiveness and deliverance.
His name is Jesus.
Although He was prophesized in the Old Testament, He’s more than a prophet, He is the Son of God sent as the intervenor between you and God to redeem you of your sins...
Isaiah 9:6
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
Luke 5:32
I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.
The name of Jesus is known globally, sadly, very few use His name in reverence or recognition of who He is and represents. He is the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, the lamp in the darkness, the redeemer of sins. He was with God in the beginning; He is the Alpha and the Omega.
To be friends with a supernatural being is a mystery that unfolds with each breath. As He knows the words you’ll utter before you say them.
Jesus knows you intimately. Everything about you in His eyes is transparent. That can be alarming to some, as you can’t hide from Him. You can only admit your sins and repent.
It’s in the recognition of your wrong doings that allows Him to work in you and lead you away from actions, words, that don’t align with God’s purpose for your life. It’s an ongoing process as Jesus sees the best in you and desires your heart to be open to the remaking of you. To soften your heart, embrace compassion, to not judge, and forgive so you can be forgiven.
Through prayer He listens to every word and although not all prayers are answered, He hears them and petitions your requests to His Father, who makes the final decision on what is best for you. For the Lord has a plan for you...
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
He also protects you...
Psalm 121:7
The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul.”
Jesus is the authority over Heaven, Earth and Hell. He will return to judge the living and the dead. But before this occurs, He is preparing His harvest which is ripe and ready. Any time, He will return. The day and time no one knows, but the signs are evident. Humanity has lost its way.
As I review current affairs, it’s like everything is backwards, decisions made by leaders are illogical, or leaders use their power to control others, which has been happening around the world for too long.
However, when you ask Jesus to be your friend, allow Him to enter your heart and accept Him as your Lord and Savior, He will begin to prepare your heart so when the time comes, you’ll be ready and not left behind.
That anticipation isn’t one to fear, but of jubilation, excitement, and overwhelming joy to know that as sisters and brothers we’ll be with Him when He returns. Riding through the clouds on white horses as warriors ready for battle against the wicked. It is written...
Revelation 1:7
“Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him"; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.” So shall it be! Amen.
Why will we mourn?
Because the truth of Jesus will be revealed to everyone. You will know in that instant He is the Son of God prophesized in the Old Testament, the Son resurrected in the New Testament, the King of Kings as written in the Book of Revelations. It will be a moment of mixed emotions, fear, awe, and joy.
Fear if your heart isn’t ready.
Awe in believing what your eyes behold.
Joy that Jesus is fulfilling His last act as written.
However, as any good friend He warns you about events that will transpire, and consequences if you’re not ready.
1 Peter 1:13
"So then, prepare your hearts and minds for action! Stay alert and fix your hope firmly on the marvelous grace that is coming to you".
The Word provides the way, with Jesus’ teachings, confirmed in Acts, to not only prepare your heart but your mind.
You need Jesus’ friendship to do this. As He has a gift when you give your heart to Him. A companion who is there to lead and guide you to keep your paths straight, the Holy Spirit. It’s through the Holy Spirit your words are holy in prayer, as He provides the opportunity to converse with Jesus and God.
My Prayer Journals have assisted greatly in developing this repour with the Lord. Journals I created as a tool to build your friendship and trust with the Lord, and to love Him. It opened my eyes to His endless love with encouraging words to help me in my journey.
Recently, the Lord through the Holy Spirit, said:
“The time is ripe. Harvest is near. Guard yourself against evil. Prepare your heart. Walk in the light with Me and my Son, for we are here to guide, lead and protect you.”
Let’s Pray:
Lord,
Lead me, guide and protect me. Show me how to prepare my heart. To be ready for when you come. Help me to stay focused on you, and only you. You are my lamp in the darkness, my rock, fortress, deliverer and redeemer. May I praise your goodness forever.
Amen
Prayer is how you communicate with the Lord. It’s in these silent moments where you set aside time to focus on Jesus and our Heavenly Father. A time that leads to healing as you pray openly about your fears, concerns, and the needs of others. Moreover, it’s a time to listen to Him, hear His words, as they provide guidance for you to grow your faith. It’s also a petition to our Heavenly Father to intercede on behalf of others. Mostly, it’s communicating and expressing with heart felt passion, to a God who sacrificed everything to break the curse of sin that separated you from Him. He desires to hear your words, be in His presence, and learn to love Him more and more.
The Prayer Journals are available as a digital download at my ETSY Store, Archway Designs by CFC Studios.
Get your copy today.
Life isn’t without tribulation, but when you have Jesus as your friend, you can ride the seasons knowing you’re not alone. He is your counsellor, teacher, weeps when you weep and laughs when you laugh. There is no one like Him, no friendship that is greater.
God Bless,
Hi, I’m Cathy.
A blogger, photographer, author, passionately driven to pointing people away from new age indoctrination to find redemption in Jesus Christ.
I’m a mixed blend, excited to share all I offer...
Blog-Twisted Roots
Do you find yourself asking questions about new age, whether the practices and beliefs are leading your soul to redemption?
As a reformed new ager, I was saturated in the belief I could co-create with the universe and manifest a life of abundance. But I was deceived. This blog is to point you to the truth of God’s words and how He perceives the new age indoctrination. It also highlights other areas to inspire and encourage Christians in their walk of faith.
Prayer Journal
To help you in your journey, I created Prayer Journals, to build a closer bond with Christ Jesus.
As you grow in your faith, it’s important to dedicate time to be with God in prayer, a quiet space to meet with Him, and invite Him into your daily thoughts. In doing so, you will experience His peace and presence in every aspect of your life.
Fine Art Photography
I always dreamed of being a professional photographer when I grew up. It was a journey to reach this goal. When the opportunity presented itself, I knew it was time to fulfill my dream.
I owned a home-based studio for over a decade but have been shooting images for two decades. Now, semi-retired, I have a collection of my most cherished images of landscape or fine art available for wall décor.
