God created us to be relational and last time we explored those “one another” scriptures that admonish us to stay connected. However I think friendships – especially close friendships go above and beyond the “one another” scriptures.
Medical researchers have found that those who have close friends tend to be happier, healthier and live longer than those who don’t. Having friends has numerous physical and spiritual benefits. According to the Mayo Clinic in addition to preventing loneliness and giving companionship friends…
- Increase your sense of purpose
- Help the body’s auto immune system resist disease
- Help you cope with trauma such as divorce, illness, death, job loss
- Promote brain health
- Are more successful
Overall medical and psychological studies prove that people who have one or more close friends are in better health than those who have only casual friends or no friends at all. In fact studies say that maintaining positive relationships should rank up there with healthy eating and exercise as a necessary investment in your health.
Ecclesiastes 4:10 puts it this way: “Pity the man without friends.”
Here is what the Bible says about real friends…
- Proverbs 17:17: They love at all times. They know us, accept our weakness and imperfections but love us anyway.
- Proverbs 27:17: They give us a different perspective like “iron sharpening iron.” This also indicates a certain respect friends have for each other because iron cannot sharpen iron unless opinions are respected even though not agreed upon.
- Proverbs 27:9: They give wise counsel in a tactful way.
- Proverbs 27:5, 6: Even if a friend has to tell us something we don’t want to hear, it’s better because we know we can trust them.
- Proverbs 18:24: Friends are with you through thick and thin. Sometimes closer than family.
- Ecclesiastes 4:8-12: Friends lift you up and strengthen you. It says, “Two are better than one because if one falls down the other one helps him up.” It says that friends form a bond that is not easily broken.
So that Bette Midler song is true. You got to have friends. Well, I guess you don’t have to have friends but you will be happier and healthier if you do!
