Friends of Substance

Some of the best ‘God Talk’ conversations I’ve had started out as ‘Girl Talk’. What a blessing to have godly friends that share both your desire to live for God and the struggles facing Christians in daily life. I’m talking about real friends with whom you can share your naked heart in confidence because you know they will not judge even if they have to point out erroneous thinking on your part or be forthright in not letting you off the hook when you make excuses about actions. I think it is no coincidence that good friend and God friend is only one tiny letter apart.

In that same vein, your issue becomes our issue when you drop the Y (why) in sharing with a good God friend. Your yoke becomes Our yoke when a God friend walks beside you; a burden shouldered between godly friends. No problem or issue can prevail when your God friend stands praying faithfully in the gap and Jesus is walking beside you. Talk about a power team! Jesus doesn’t need the help but He is the One closer than a brother so He understands relationships of depth; He’s not intimidated by bonds to God friends. The Bible tells us to seek godly counsel. This is why (Y) it is vital to have mature God friends; other friends can not give godly advice; no one can give out what they do not have.

God friend or Accountability Partner, call it what you like but it is imperative that this be a working relationship of a well traveled two way street. Both parties need to know they are free to share, free to care and free to walk in confidence that the other will be honest with us, most especially when we are not being honest with ourselves. I had a friend tell me she sometimes holds back when she’s not ready to deal an issue because she knows I will tell her what she doesn’t want to hear. Trust me, THAT is a two way street I have walked. She, too, tells me what I need to hear not what I want to hear and we love each other for it.

I have been blessed in my life with such friends and give thanks regularly for them. These are time tested, storm weathering friends that you can count on at all times regardless of circumstance or convenience; praying women not afraid of stomping their foot in the face of wickedness, shouting down a demon or burning the midnight oil on your behalf. We have shared more laughter and tears than I can tell you. We laugh at ourselves and with each other; we’ve wiped tears and noses. We’ve held one another in silence and been a sounding board for some loud venting. We do not always agree but we always stay regardless. We are blessed with the gift of having a God friend.

While you can not open up to just anyone and wisdom dictates knowing the difference, I pray you ask God to bring the right person into your life if you do not have such a God friend, Accountability Partner. These relationships are too important not to have God leading the way in crossing your paths. They are not for the faint of heart or anyone unwilling to give and receive honesty. God friends make the best good friends and bring a rich fullness and sweet warmth. God friends are really angels walking around on earth to hold your hand before you walk the streets of Heaven with Jesus. Thanks, Lord!!!