That Kind of Friend

August 3

Although we can’t pick our family, we can be discriminating when we select our friends. Most people have certain basic qualities that they consider to be essential in anyone they allow into their inner-circle. They want their friends to be loyal, trustworthy, honest, available.

Loyalty is important because betrayal is such a commonplace occurrence in the social and professional worlds. In the arena where it is understood that everyone is out for himself, nobody anticipates loyalty. Therefore, it is placed high on the list of priorities one seeks in a friend.

Trustworthiness and honesty go hand-in-hand. An individual who is trustworthy will evidence this trait to everyone, not just to his friends. He will not betray a confidence even if his best friend tries to pry it out of him. If he is honest, he will tell the truth, even if it doesn’t tickle the ears of the listener—even the listener might be his best friend.

The true friend will be available to laugh with you, cry with you, celebrate with you, grieve with you. Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity.” That kind of friend, the one who, “sticks closer than a brother,” (Proverbs 18:24) will always empathize with you for his heart will virtually beat with yours.