Tag: encouragement

Sailing on the “Friend-Ship”

~ Barbara ~ 3 Comments

Where will we sail in this brand-new year? No, I’m not hinting at a Caribbean cruise. Today, 2026 leaves port, and we’re all aboard. I can guarantee there will be adventures and opportunities, but I’m afraid we’ll likely hit some rough waters as well. Thankfully, we’re not floundering in inflatable lifeboats but floating in ships we deem safe. Over the next few weeks, we’ll look at some of those ships.

Friend-Ship

This is one of the loveliest ships for our travels, and a provision from God to help us navigate life. These are a few things He says about friendship.

The blessings:

  • A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need (Prov. 17:17).
  • Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble (Eccl. 4:9-10).
  • Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice (Prov. 27:9).

Friends help when we have need, lift us up when we fall, and advise when we’re unsure.

The benefits:

  • As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend (Prov. 27:17).
  • Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ (Gal. 6:2).
  • Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves (Rom. 12:10).

Friends sharpen us, making us better with them than without them. They share our burdens, lightening our load. They are devoted and honor us.

The banes:

  • Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble (Prov. 13:20).
  • A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends (Prov. 16:28).
  • Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared (Prov. 22:24-25).

The writer of Proverbs warns us against fools, troublemakers, gossipers, and hot tempers.

What friendships will you nurture or rekindle in 2026?

What friends are unhealthy and necessitate ending the relationship?

What new friends will God introduce to you?

What kind of friend will you be?

I hope you will be exactly what you’d like to find in a friend—loyal, encouraging, sensitive, serving, and loving.

Photo by Antonino Visalli on Unsplash

Powerful Words from Generous Hearts

~ Barbara ~ Leave a comment

I was recently doubting myself in two areas. In each instance someone spoke words that flipped my perspective and sparked joy.

First, I was feeling down about my hair—I’m losing it! Not a big deal, but a distraction. I faithfully thanked God it wasn’t due to disease or chemo treatments, just another aging nuisance. Still, I told Him I’d really like it to stop.

We attend a super-friendly church and each Sunday are enthusiastically greeted like our being there is the best thing ever. Two weeks ago the greeter, a stranger to me, exclaimed, “I love your hair! It looks so healthy!” Now, people may have commented on my hair style or color, but no one ever has remarked on its health. I’m guessing you’ve never been told that either. What an unusual comment—and exactly what I needed to hear! I thanked her for being so outgoing and unwittingly building me up. Now I brush the hair off my shoulders and say to myself, “What healthy hair!” You know, I think less is falling!

The second self-doubt came this morning. I felt dry and was praying about what to post this week. I questioned if I should take a blog break. In the middle of my musing a new friend texted me, “I felt compelled to start reading your blog! I’ve read a few and I’m now a subscriber!” Wow! Then a second friend in the chat responded that she knew nothing about following a blog, “I was just reading it. So good!” They knew nothing about my struggle but spoke words of life and… here I am!

I hope you’re encouraged to speak up, to let compliments and positive words flow. We’ve had this safety measure drilled in us: “If you see something, say something.” Let’s steal the mantra to remind us to say kind words to others.  

Ephesians tells us to speak…“what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (4:29). In the communications I described words were spoken to build me up. The speakers didn’t know of my need, but God did, and He used them to bless.

Friends, let’s be generous with words that compliment, edify, and encourage. According to Proverbs 25:11 (ESV),

“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.”

Share a golden apple today!