We All Need a Real Friend

“No man is an island, no man stands alone.” God created us as social beings, so it’s clear that everyone needs a friend. We cannot make it on our own. When our creator made Adam, He saw that it was not good for him to be lonely, so He created Eve (Genesis 2:18-22). We need companionship—not necessarily a mate—but a close friend. Having someone to lean on during rough times and to smile with during the glad times, is priceless.

Some people are considered “loners,” and that’s fine. But even then, having at least one close friend to call on in times of need is essential. The truth is, we can go through life without having a barrage of friends or a personal entourage. Notwithstanding, if you find yourself going through life without one individual you can identify as your true friend, something is wrong. It’s fine if you have more than one, but it’s sad if you have none. To experience a wholesome life, I think we all need a friend. Take a look at how a real friend helps to make a difference in our lives.

Benefits of Having a Friend

Listening Ear
We’ll always have a listening ear when we have a friend. He or she can be our sounding-board for venting frustration, sharing our dreams, fears, weird experiences, and mistakes. And with a dear friend, we don’t need to fluff our conversations. We can cut to the chase and be as real or as candid as we want to be.

Helping Hand
A friend is always there to lend a helping hand, whether it’s physically, financially, or emotionally. And if they are unable to help, they’ll direct us, as best they can, to the source of help. Nothing is too good for a real friend to offer. He or she is always there to give unconditional support. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)

Sound Correction
A true friend is never afraid to keep us in check when we fall out of line. He or she is there to celebrate with us, but is also there to let us know when we’re wrong—to tell it like it is. Honesty is a hard pill to swallow, especially when given by a friend, but it’s for our betterment. (Proverbs 27:5-6)

Safe-Haven
When we’re stressed, having family or spousal troubles, or if we just need a change of scenery, a good friend is there to offer us a place of escape… a safe-haven. We can count on our friend’s house doubling as a mini-vacation spot whenever we need it. And if a good-ole sleepover is what we’re looking for, it can be found at a friend’s house.

It’s important we have someone in our lives whom we feel totally comfortable around. A true friend really help us keep sane. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”

How has your friend made a difference in your life?