Friends

I received a phone call the other day and it got me thinking about friends.  Friends are such an important part of our walk in life.  God created us to have a community of believing friends to do life with.  What happens inside of us when we don't have good friends, especially to young people?  Is a lack of friendship why so many young people get depressed, try to hurt themselves or end their lives?  Or is their something deeper going on? 

If someone came to me because they were having a hard time with any issue in life, my answer would always be Jesus.  It wouldn't be the end of the answer but it would be the starting point.  Pinpointing the exact issues and then the scripture verses that bring clarity and answers would be the process to overcoming any issue.  So what if someone was lonely or lacking in community or deep friendship?  

Many times people answer with, be a good friend and you will have friends.  Well, maybe.  But how can you be a good friend if you don't have friends?  And what are the reasons you don't have good friends?  I think the answer lies in the Bible. The Word states in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 that as a born again believer "your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?  You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price.  Therefore honor God with your body," Ok, so you may be asking what does this have to do with getting friends?  Well, I was thinking, who makes the best friends?  One's that drain you. or are negative or have nothing to sow into your life?  No, the best friends, are confident, love themselves without conceit, have Christ to sow into you and love to be with you. 

So back to the temple of the Holy Spirit, why does He live in us?  For salvation only?  No, He is here for community.  To love on you, and for you to commune easily with the One True God.  How do you show honor to this gift?  By taking time to commune with Jesus and by taking care of your own body so you feel good and can give time and energy to Him.  This also helps keep your soul in check.  By exercising your body you release good endorphins and energy into your body and you'll see less negative emotions like depression.  

So it is a win, win,  Your three parts, body, soul and spirit are all fed and strong by following this one verse.  I know looking back at my own life that I am ready to be a good friend when I love myself. I love myself when my spirit is being fed by communing daily with Jesus.  Taking walks with Him, chatting with Him over the dishes, reading His word, singing praise to Him.  I feel great when I am exercising regularly and eating a good balance of foods. 
Psalm 34:5 says, "They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces were not ashamed."We radiate Christ when we honor being the temple of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus trusts us to be a good friend and answers our plea for friendship when we take serious His already spoken answer of how to get there.  We don't need to listen to the enemies lies of how we aren't friend worthy and swirl into depression.  We just need to follow the word and allow Christ to transform our lives. 

Have faith in the Word!