“Two are better than one” is the rationale for seeking friendships that nurture us. We should be careful not to neglect or forsake those relationships.
Broken Relationships
Close friendships must be nurtured, not forsaken. Why? Because those relationships are essential to our emotional health.
Unfortunately, we sometimes forsake friends. Why? Reasons include: a breach of trust, career moves where we lose touch, lifestyle differences that become more glaring over time, or a lack of effort by one or both to maintain contact because we’re too busy.
It’s good for us to nurture friendships because some day we will need help! Proverbs 27.10, paraphrase. proverbsforprofessionals.net
What’s in it for me?
The implication in Proverbs 27.10 is that the friend is close by and we simply choose to walk away or neglect the relationship. The verse doesn’t state a specific reason for the broken friendship.
Conversely, of all the possible reasons for maintaining a friendship, the verse states one: “… the day of your calamity.” It’s inevitable that we will face some form of difficulty in life. Worse yet, the problem requires us to find some outside assistance.
Ok, where should we look for assistance? The verse suggests the neighbor is close by, whereas the nearest family member is some distance away (“… far off ,,,”). Consequently, we’re better off calling on the nearby friend.
Thus, for a very practical reason, don’t forsake a mutually-beneficial relationship. Instead, be intentional about nurturing friendships. Why? Because deep friendships sharpen and strengthen both partners. See Proverbs 27.17 “Iron sharpens iron …”.
“Two are better than one because they have a good reward …” Ecclesiastes 4.9 proverbsforprofessionals.net
Apply This Today!
Nurturing friendships is an element of living intentionally. So…be a good friend!
When we’re intentional about nurturing friendships we apply the Sow/Reap precept in a very practical way.
For persons of faith, friendships have a deeply spiritual impact. Here’s my paraphrase of Matthew 5.16: Let the light of your good works shine so brightly before others that it points them to God. Ultimately, it’s about the other person rather than about us.
A Question to Consider
What are some practices you use to intentionally nurture strong friendships?
I’m Dale Young. My posts share the balanced life to build wise character and guide wise behavior.
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