Author Harper Lee famously wrote that “You can choose your friends but you sho’ can’t choose your family…” The people that we choose to surround ourselves with, our confidants and our companions on the journey of life will be some of the most significant decisions we make. “Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future” says motivational speaker, Jim Rohn. ‘Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.’ wrote Solomon in Proverbs 13:20.

The value of a good Christian friend cannot be underestimated. There is priceless value in having another human being whom you can call ‘friend’. That word sums up a million experiences; someone who will walk with you through grief, towards joy, during the choppy waves and the still waters, when your life is ‘in season and out of season’. A friend is worth a thousand followers on social media.

Every person desires ‘to know and be known’. We were created from community, for community and friendship is one of the most profound pictures of that need being fulfilled. Having friends who will tell you the truth, even when it’s not popular or easy to hear will save your life. Proverbs 18:24 says that the ‘one who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin.’ A ruined life awaits the one who doesn’t choose their friends wisely.

1 Peter 5:8 says that the devil ‘prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.’ If I’m going up against a roaring lion, I’d rather do it with a group of friend around me. That’s a no-brainer right? An isolated Christian is a vulnerable Christian. When we aren’t connected in meaningful ways to other people, it’s all too easy to fall into traps of sin, despair and self-obsession. It’s hard to fulfil the biblical commandments of serving, loving and encouraging one another if there is no ‘other’ in your life.

Maybe making friends doesn’t come easy or natural for you. I think that’s part of the reason that God gave us the church: a ready-formed group of new relationship opportunities. Perhaps you need to join a small group or ask your pastor about opportunities to serve. These can often lead the way to deeper and better friendships. If this article has reminded you of your friends, why not send it to them and say “Thank you for being this type of friend”. The truth is, they’re a gift from God.