By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
A true friend cares for us with love, honesty, and sincerity while knowing our flaws and weaknesses. The qualities of a good friend are a treasure because reciprocating the relationship comes with a price.
“The only way to have a friend is to be one.” Ralph Waldo Emerson.
To be a good friend means we practice our heart’s longing. What we desire for ourselves is what we strive to perfect for them. Our definition of friendship is an accumulation of what we’ve experienced from our life experiences. Some of the actions we’ve seen are like a soothing balm. Some people take advantage and manipulate others for selfish means. We recognize the inappropriate and insincere behavior and instead, we choose integrity.
My inspiration for friendship comes from Jesus in John 15:13-15 ESV. “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.”
A good friend—
- Believes life isn’t about them.
- Encourages us to reach for our dreams.
- Laughs and cries with us.
- Listens even if we are whining.
- Models Jesus.
- Practices unconditional love.
- Serves without thought of return.
- Shows us they are dependable.
- Shows us the meaning of trustworthiness.
- Treasures spending time with us.
- Understands a good friend challenges us to be better people.
- Values strong life principles.
“Friendship marks a life even more deeply than love. Love risks degenerating into obsession, friendship is never anything but sharing.” Elie Wiesel
Can you share a characteristic of a good friend?
Comments 16
Great advice and oh, so true!
When my husband passed away in October, I had dear friends come to the funeral home with me to do Alfred’s burial. Then a dear friend came to our home and stayed with my daughter and I most of the day. It was so comforting.
Linda, good friends are with us in the valleys of life. I’m so glad they were there for you.
Thanks DiAnn
These are facts I need to turn into practise, behaviors which need to be my lifestyle.
Thanks for the challenge and inspiration.
Frances, you are so welcome. Godly friendships keep us grounded in His love.
DiAnn – yes these are the qualities of a true friend. I strive to be one and so appreciate my friends who model true friendship and hold me accountable.
Thanks, Pamela, I respect the qualities of a good friend. Dependable, loving, caring, and compassionate.
Me and Diana became fast friends from our days in junior high. Diana is willing to take risks. I must stick my toe in first. If she wasn’t a risk taker ( I don’t mean foolish) we would not have spread the gospel at our school. Although we’ve been rejected time and time again, those challenges strengthen our friendship and commit us to labor for the gospel. A friend is one who will stick and stay and pray, pray, pray.
Dawn, what a beautiful example of a godly friendship. God has used both of you to share His love with others. Thank you!
A good friend is forgiving. I’ve known my best friend Rosemary since we were babes together in our church nursery. Even though my life has taken me far and wide when I lost touch with her, she never held a grudge against me for my lack of contact. Instead, she lovingly enjoyed our next conversation as if there had been no gap.
Marilyn, what a sweet story and a genuine friend is just like your Rosemary. I want to be like her!
a faithful friend is one who encourages you to be your best but also will lecture you when you mess up. especially as a Christian
Sheila, I have friends who do exactly that! Thanks for the reminder.
A good friend rejoices with you in your successes and hurts for you in your losses. I want to be that kind of friend and the kind you so beautifully described. Thank you!
Hi Maureen, I think we all want to slide into that lovely spot. Be blessed!
I am thankful God has given me many wonderful friends. 🙂 I pray that I am a good friend, too.
Melissa, as Christians, I think loving Jesus and knowing He loves us help us to be better friends.