Brothers

Proverbs 18:24

There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.

Today we look at a primary quality of a friend: the willingness to persevere. Perseverance is continuing to be a friend when the other person needs you more than you need them. Perseverance is not enabling a self-destructive behavior. Accountability must be a close cousin to perseverance. Sometimes saying good-bye is our gift of love to the other person so they can become healthier. And sometimes continuing to say hello is our gift of love.

Perseverance in friendship means something like this: I'm your friend. I'm going to do my best not to hurt you. When times get tough I'm going to stick with you. You can always depend on me. I'll give you a second chance. I love you not because we are relatives or share a common interest or live in the same vicinity: I love you because of who you are.

I have two sons: Benjamin is nine and David is three. They are brothers. Everyday they fight. No exceptions. And everyday they their bond grows closer. David needs Benjamin more than Benjamin needs David. Many times, not all the time, Benjamin puts aside what is fun and exciting and easy for him and does what is best for David. Proverbs tells us a real friend sticks closer than a brother. So that means we put aside what is fun and exciting and easy and are blessed with something greater: friendship.

Reflect

Are you a friend who perseveres? Someone who cares about the other party in the relationship as much as you care about yourself?

Do you have friends who will persevere with you? When you have little or nothing to offer the other person, they are still present and giving?

Act

We all have been hurt when others have abandoned us. We have probably hurt others by abandoning them. We don't want either of these to ever happen again.

We can't control how others act. We can control how we act. From your list of five relationships you created the other day, choose a relationship with a person who needs you more than you need them. Be intentional about blessing that person on this day. And you will find that you are the one who is blessed.