Sub-Total: $0.00
I can’t believe Thanksgiving is already behind us and Christmas is in full swing! I wish time wouldn’t fly by so fast during this season that I love and treasure the most!
To say that I’m Christmas fanatic, would probably be an understatement. I will confess … I’m one of those people who starts listening to traditional holiday music before Halloween, and has to fight the urge every single day in November to not put up her Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving. (Don’t worry, I waited until Friday to actually decorate for Christmas). But  I guess I just secretly lump Thanksgiving and Christmas together under the umbrella of “holiday season”, because although they are in deed two very different holidays, they both embody similar meanings in my heart.
Thanksgiving – be thankful for the blessings God has given you, especially friends and family. Christmas – celebrate the birth of Jesus first and foremost, but also enjoy doing it with all those people who we were most thankful for on Thanksgiving.
You see, during this time of year, it’s not just sparkling lights and meaningful music that lifts my spirits, but also knowing how blessed I am with all the amazing people I have in my life. Of course my precious children and all of my sweet family members, but also those Christian friends God put in my life long before I even knew how much I would need them. Â Friends whose kindness, comfort, hugs, sweet emails, comforting scriptures and prayers sent in text messages, Â and supportive conversations have gotten me through some of the hardest days in my life. But what I value more than anything in the world, is the Godly wisdom they continually pour into my heart, especially on those days when my own faith feels weak.
My Proverbs 31 devotion today talks about this very subject – Godly Friends, Godly Wisdom. In the devotion, I shared how when it comes to my closest friends, I can’t help but be moved to tears at how much I respect their faith and their relationship with Jesus, and how their advice and comforting words were always laced with holy truth, gentleness and love, always capable of soothing the ache that was weighing on my heart. You see, recently I realized these people had been divinely designated to be in my life, and to be the voice of the wise during my trial, even long before I knew I would need such advice. People God blessed me with, for good times and bad. And for that I am eternally grateful.
So what makes a Godly friend who can give Godly wisdom? It’s not perfection or a great personality. It’s not never messing up, having a lot of connections, lots of great recipes or the ability to put together an outfit like a Pinterest fashion page. It’s not even one who goes to church a lot, sings in the choir, or volunteers in the children’s ministry.
A Godly friend is one who looks to God for wisdom for herself, and makes His Word a priority in her heart and life, so that she’ll be equipped when a friend needs Godly wisdom from her.  Proverbs 12:26a, “The godly give good advice to their friends.” (NLT)  When we make God’s Words and ways a priority, we too can be a good friend, but most importantly, a Godly friend that gives good advice, just when our sweet friends need us the most in return. And what could possibly be better than a good friend that is also a wise Godly friend? Seriously, that is one of the biggest blessings in the Christian sisterhood.
So how do you make God’s Words and ways a priority in your life so you can give Godly wisdom when your friends are in a hard place? Who has blessed you with Godly wisdom that you are most thankful for? Â Click here to join in on the conversation on my blog.
8 Comments
Tracie Miles is a bestselling author and the Director of COMPEL Training with Proverbs 31 Ministries. She helps women grow stronger in their faith, pursue the life of purpose God designed them for and live a life of peace, joy and happiness despite their circumstances.
Subscribe to Tracie’s Blog
Receive the Living Unbroken Battle Plan Workbook for free if you subscribe to Tracie’s blog today!
Tracie's Books
I am trying to say this in the most spiritual way I can but I fear it will only sound bitter. I am not bitter but disappointed and a little confused by Christian women. I have a few friends that are not Christian and several what I call Christian church friends ( Bible study, church, life groups, movie night group etc.) . I am active Christian and been a Christian for going on 40 years. What I have found is Christians are loving and even say I love you but when it comes to being there for you or even being a friend outside of the meeting/Bible Study etc. they have own life and can not be interrupted.
I have many examples but this last one just has me questioning. I have been sick for four weeks and texted a friend at the Bible study about missing the last two weeks because being sick. She replied back and said so sorry , Love you and will be praying. Thanksgiving ( another two weeks) came and I text her again and said I was still sick and wished her Happy thanksgiving. She did text me back. So sorry, Happy Thanksgiving. Now I never get a text from her unless I text her and I have not heard from anyone else at the church. This is not the 1st time , not the second, third, or fourth time in my life. You would think I was use to this behavior. I did received a delivery of a blanket and a movie from my non Christian friend and texts from a couple of not Christian friends. What confused me is how Christians sit side by side and hear of how to treat others ,even stories like mine but have this reputation. I am not alone, there are many more of me out there and have turned from the church because of the lack of true friendships. The stories I have heard about how they have turned their backs on the church but not on God is so sad. I am not sure what it is going to take, because I hear it preached and many books written on the subject. Just taking a moment to share just the hope that someone would reach out and give of themselves , their time, their friendship.
Robin I know exactly what you are talking about. Another example of this is going to a new church and Sunday School class. Everyone else in the class has been there for a long time and it is like being in high school all over again. They have these cliques and are not really wanting to let anyone else in. It is tough but we just hang in there hoping one day they will open up. If they do not then I guess we will try another class and hope for a better outcome. Do not give up. All Christian ladies are not like that and when you do find someone for a friend they should be a true friend to you and encourage and help you.
Robin, Im so sorry that people and friends have you let down at times. I know we have all experienced that, myself included. Sometimes people – friends, Christians, and non-Christians alike – just aren’t very thoughtful, yet probably not intentionally. Just because we are a Christian, does not mean we will never let someone down, so I think it’s important not to stereotype behavior for Christian friends or hold them to expectations that might set us up for disappointment, and to certainly not allow the actions of a few people cause us to turn away from church. The only thing we can do is try to be a good, Godly friend to others, and give of ourselves, our time and our friendship as you said, while offering grace and forgiveness when people don’t respond in ways we thought they would or should. Ive found it’s always better to try to think the best of someone, rather the worst! Thank you for sharing your thoughts, and I pray God works in your life and in your relationships and restores your faith in friends and friendships in amazing ways that warm your heart. 🙂 And Im praying you get to feeling better very soon!
I’m sorry that the people you were hoping to step forward remained in the shadows. I have put my expectations from other people on the back burner because I realize I have absolutely no control or say in other people’s actions. My best friend is Jesus. He never lets me down and is always available to comfort me. It might be that the “non Christian” friends are searching for God and are reaching out to you to see if you can help them in their search!
I can relate to this completely. I think that both Christians and non-Christians can let you down at times. I understand the point that the commenters made about not having high expectations for Christians, but it’s so hard to not have some expectations for people who profess to be loving. Sometimes I wonder, if this is how they are with other Christians, how on earth would a non-Christian ever be invited into the fold?
I agree that the key is to not give up on Christians, as difficult as that can be at times. I admit that meeting the really good Christian is like finding the one good Samaritan among the priests and the Levites. I feel that I’ve only met a handful of them in all my years of being a Christian that I keep in touch with them long after we’ve parted ways.
Matthew 8:19-20 “And one of the scribes came to Him and said, ‘Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.’ Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.”
The cost of discipleship can be a steep one at times. But God called us into serving him and only him, with or without Godly friends. I’m thankful for the ones I do have but I realize that God’s grace is the only reason I have any at all.
Greatly blessed by godly friendships when I observe my friends setting a good example by labouring into the rest of God. As women we scurry around trying to get so much done on our own strength, losing our peace trying to meet others needs …. I am so encouraged to see my friends stop, be still, hear God and see them flourish and be blessed.
Dear Robin-
I have experienced this same thing at times in my life. It makes discerning challenging. What a good God we serve, providing for you through those yet to come to know him. I think it is best for you to share your concern with your group, pray about it and see what wonderful opportunities present themselves as a result of your vulnerable and honest truth. To God be the glory.
I have some wonderful ladies in my life who are God fearing, God loving mentors. I am blessed with their knowledge of the Bible and their life experiences. I pray that I will be a woman who shows God’s love to everyone .