Counsel of Spiritual Life

Counsel #7 — Godly Friends

Picture: Counsel #7 — Godly Friends CSL 89.1

Support is multi-dimensional. We crave support ourselves, but sometimes forget to extend it to others. If a friend or even an acquaintance is in trouble, reach out and speak words of encouragement and hope. Ask if you can pray with them.^[88] The warmth of true friendship is a foretaste of the wonderful joy we will experience together in heaven. CSL 89.2

“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” 1 Peter 4:10 NKJV CSL 89.3

“Things will go wrong with everyone; sadness and discouragement press every soul; then a personal presence, a friend who will comfort and impart strength, will turn back the darts of the enemy that are aimed to destroy. Christian friends are not half as plentiful as they should be. In hours of temptation, in a crisis, what a value is a true friend! Satan at such times sends along his agents to cause the trembling limbs to stumble; but the true friends who will counsel, who will impart magnetic hopefulness, the calming faith that uplifts the soul,—oh, such help is worth more than precious pearls.” Ellen White in Sons and Daughters of God, p. 161 CSL 89.4

Reflect: Would your friends describe you as someone who is there for them when they’re down? CSL 89.5