Friends Who Lighten the Burden
Job 6:14 Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
Some friends … well, all you have to do is think about them and it brings a smile to your face. That’s a pretty darned good thing, don’t you think?
I have a good friend in South Africa called Jonathan. He’s a radio morning show host and you know what morning shows are like. They’re upbeat, happy … the sort of tempo to set you in the right frame of mind as you’re fighting the traffic on the way to work.
And Jonathan is exactly the right guy to be doing that. But I know him off air too. I stay at his place whenever I’m in town. Life with those early morning starts, a long commute, a mentally disabled daughter isn’t easy for him and his wife. And yet, he’s one of the best friends you could ever hope for – on air, and especially off air.
The thing that stands out for me is his kindness. And that’s what friendship’s all about. What sort of friend would someone be without kindness?
Job 6:14 Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty. (NIV)
It turns out that being a good friend, a kind friend, is an incredibly godly thing to be. When we’re on the receiving end of that sort of friendship we value it highly. And we know that God values it highly too.
Yep, good friends make such a difference. They lighten your burden, they reduce your stress. Make sure that you surround yourself with a handful of good and godly friends. And whatever you do, be that kind of a friend for others too. Because anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
That’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.
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