"The Friendships of Women"

Glynnis Whitwer, Senior Editor P31 Woman, Proverbs 31 Speaker and Author

Key .Verse:
Ecclesiastes 4:8-10,
"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their
work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man
who falls and has no one to help him up!"

Devotion:

A study of elementary school activity recess revealed that boys and
girls play differently on the playground structures. Researchers have
found that girls are more likely to swing and climb to the top of the
play structures and yell down at their friends who are close by on the
ground. Boys, on the other hand, are more likely to run around the
structure or the playground.



Apparently, these findings concerned the researchers because they
worry that girls aren't using enough of the playground. Isn't that
interesting? Without any suggestion from teachers or parents, the
girls place themselves in closer physical proximity to each other,
thereby increasing their social contact.



Although little girls tend to disagree more than boys, their need for
friendships is obvious, and at a young age, seek each other out. God
designed this need in us, and friendships offer more than
companionship, they also offer protection.



With Satan as our enemy, and sin as our nature, we are weakened. One
of Satan's most effective tools is isolation. He knows if we stay
away from godly friends, he can start planting lies in our minds, and
thereby bring us down. But with good friends to surrounds us, and
affirm God's truth in our life, we are less susceptible to attack.



Consider frost damage. In a forest, a tree is more likely to be
killed by frost if it is standing alone. The same goes for plants and
bushes around our homes. However, when the trees are clumped together
there is a natural protection and they survive the cold.



This is a lot like people. None of us expect a difficult time to come
– but we live in a fallen world and bad things happen. To a person
without godly friends, a time of frost can kill them emotionally.
However, when a person is surrounded by friends, they are more likely
to survive.



For many of us, friendships are whipped cream on the ice cream sundae
of life. They are an added bonus, but not essential. However, God
thinks otherwise. In Ecclesiastes 4:8-10 we have the following words
of advice: "Two are better than one, because they have a good return
for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But
pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!"

In another book of the Bible, we are advised to confess our sins to
others. James 5:16 says, "Therefore confess your sins to each other
and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a
righteous man is powerful and effective." Since I'm probably not
going to confess my sins to someone I don't know, this verse affirms
the importance of godly friends.



As we enter a busy time of year, take time to be with friends. Plan a
holiday gathering and share the things you are thankful for. Look for
opportunities to include friends in your planning and preparation for
the big events in the next two months. While you are getting things
done, take time to share what's going on in your life. Our time
invested in friendships is time well spent. It's in our God-designed
make-up to need each other and it accomplishes God's desire for our
protection when the hard times come.



My Prayer for Today:

Heavenly Father, I praise You for Your almighty power and great love.
I confess the times I have neglected to develop godly friends. I pray
for wisdom to know how to be a better friend to those You have placed
in my life. Thank you for answering our prayers and for Your
faithfulness. In Jesus' Name, Amen.