A SWEET FRIENDSHIP REFRESHES THE SOUL.
Proverbs 27:9 The MSG ❤ (Verse on Bible Hub)
A SWEET FRIENDSHIP REFRESHES THE SOUL
GOD designed us to be in community with each other. None of us are an island to ourselves. I love Proverbs 27:9. When I looked up the meaning of the word ‘Refresh’, I found the following:
Refresh:
“To restore strength; to freshen up; replenish; renew; stimulate;
revive; enliven; to become fresh or vigorous again; restore;
repair; renovate; to run water over or restore water to.”
A good friend is such a treasure!
In light of this definition of ‘refresh’, let’s unpack this verse a little bit, shall we?
Our ‘soul’ is made up of our mind, will and emotions. And a sweet friendship will “restore strength” to our souls.
We have heard the saying that a good friend should love us unconditionally and that is true. But we should never expect a friend’s unconditional love to mean permission to continue in unrepentant sin. A godly friend will love us too much to not address it when we wander from the truth of God’s Word.
A true friend will do their best to hold us accountable for our words and actions and we must give them permission to do so. When our will, thoughts, and emotions run contrary to God’s best for us, we need our friends to keep us straight.
We can count ourselves super blessed if we have someone like this in our lives. Because a true friend will always point us to God. They will never just stand by, nor entice or encourage us to do anything that will destroy our relationships, our marriages, our family or ourselves.
A sweet friendship freshens, replenishes, renews, stimulates, revives, and enlivens our souls.
Friends can see qualities in us that we may not even see for ourselves. Their support, love and godly counsel can help spur us on to be our best. I don’t know how many times I’ve met up with a friend and left covered in prayer and feeling like a whole new person! Ready to face challenges or pursue a dream with fresh perspective and renewed strength.
I was drawn to the last part of the definition: “to run water over or restore water to.” What came to mind was how, at the end of a football game, they would pour a huge jug of Gatorade over the head of a winning coach.
We Believers have ‘Living Water’ (John 4:14) bubbling up from deep within us. God can use a Holy Spirit filled friend to refresh us. Especially when we feel weak or discouraged, we need good friends to remind us of our blessings and kick start our faith to overflowing again.
The Spirit within us leaps when it connects with the Spirit that lives within our believing friends!
Good friends will remind us who we are in Christ when we have forgotten. And God will definitely give them Bible Verses to speak to us right at the exact moment we need them so our spirit is strengthened from within.
Jesus can confirm things through His Word and our friends to bring us clarity. With me, I don’t know how many times He has spoken through a friend and confirmed something for me that only Jesus and I knew about. There is no limit to the refreshment we can receive within a community of Holy Spirit filled Believers!
In Matthew 18:20, Jesus says that where two or more are gathered together in His Name, there He is in their midst. Our collective prayers are powerful. And when we share our “God experiences” with each other, it reminds us we are not alone and gives us hope to move forward and not give up.
Lets cherish those friends God brings into our lives. Nurture and invest in those relationships. We were not meant to do life alone.
We are salt and light to the world. If we isolate ourselves, we can miss out on some healthy “God Connections” and our greatest callings.
Heavenly Father … thank You so much for the wonderful friendships You bring into our lives. Beautiful ladies that renew and revive us by speaking Your life giving Words over us.
Women who pray for us to be healed, whole and restored through You, Holy Spirit! Jesus Girls, filled with Your love and grace, that bring sweet encouragement for our souls every time we are in their presence.
When we feel sad, they sit with us. But when we experience victory, they rejoice with us. When we feel defeated, they remind us to straighten our crowns.
Thank You for these precious ladies, Lord. Help us to be the best friends we can be for them also!
In Jesus’ Name we pray this. Amen.
Much Love to you …
❤
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Hi Donna,
Friendships like this are rare. Thank you for these beautiful, encouraging words!
Blessings,
Tammy
I’m so thankful He is our True friend, and He gives us friends on earth to walk with us, encourage us, and be as iron-sharpening-iron to us.
True friendships are a gift from God. And it’s so true that though friends affirm, they also correct when needed.
What an encouraging post! I am so thankful and blessed to have a couple of good and loyal friends! Their friendship is really a treasure! I love the way how you unpack the verse. Blessings to you! ❤️
Excellent post! I can’t tell you how many times a friend has helped me back on the right path. Just the same, there have been a number I’ve had to distance myself from. I only hope I’m as good a friend as some have been to me.
Great post Donna, we all need at least one or two close friends, and He will choose them for us.
Thank you so much Rebecca! You are so right about Him choosing our friends for us. He has brought me some great friends that I couldn’t have found in my own strength … ❤
Thank you so much for this wonderful post!
Thank you Suel! Bless you … ❤
Amazing post Donna! Love the perspective and you have a new subscriber!
Thank you SO much Aniysa! I appreciate you! ❤
Yes! A true friend is a treasure! As a pastor’s wife, I am so thankful that God has allowed me to have friends who know me and love me anyway! 🙂
I am thankful for my God appointed relationships also. Thank you so much Vickie! God is SO good to us … ❤
Love this! Friendship and community are so important! God has used friendships to transform my heart and draw me closer to Him!
Thank you so much Brina! God has used my sweet friends to point me to Him and help grow me, too … ❤
Wow this is such confirmation! My friends and I have been discussing this the last couple of days. Beautiful and timely post! ❤️
Thank you so much Ayanna! I love when God confirms things for us. He loves us so much! ❤
Good friendships are vital–at least for people like me. But I suspect many others as well, why else would the Bible mention friendships several times? Loved this post on how a sweet friendship refreshes the soul. So true!
It is vital and true for me, too. Thank you so much Kristi … ❤
Great post Donna, and such a good reminder about what true godly friendship looks like. Bless you my friend xx
Thank you Chrissie! Bless you too, sweet friend! ❤
This is such a beautiful reminder. Donna, of the importance of Godly women in our lives. We must spend most of our time with those friends who will help us keep our eyes on Christ and redirect us when we fall away. I am so thankful to have such a friendship. But I am reminded that it’s important to contribute just as much as I receive.
You are such a blessing and an encouragament to me Wendy! Thank you … ❤
The older I get, the more I understand HOW to be a good friend . Great post!
Thank you Deborah! Me too … ❤
Thanks for this important reminder. It has taken me many years to learn that I need community. I can’t do it all on my own!
I know what you mean. I can’t either, thank you Kim for stopping by. ❤
I prayed your prayer at the end, I needed this so badly that this hurt a bit, but I’m a good way. I am going to start valuing friendships so much more now!
Thank you Jessie. You are precious. I am learning to value my friendships more too. Hugs and prayers … ❤❤❤❤
I have a small handful of friends who are exactly that. A sweet friendship that refreshes the soul. A safe place to turn and fun also. I am blessed!
You are a blessed woman Aryn! 😘😘😘
Oh, Donna, I love what you had to say about setting boundaries in your relationships, and only inviting those truly refreshing, life-giving relationships into your inner circle. That can be incredibly difficult, at times. Thankfully, we have the Holy Spirit to guide us to the right people. This is truly wonderful advice.
Thank you Erin! I am so thankful we have the Holy Spirit to guide us, too. Otherwise, I don’t make the best decisions with people. ❤
This makes me so very thankful for my sisters in Christ that are my close friends! I know that it is very important who you associate yourself with day after day. Do they speak the Word into your life? Do they encourage you and lift you up in prayer? Great list! Thank you for sharing.
LaDonna | Faith Family and Miracles
Yes!! Thank you LaDonna! ❤
Great checklist for healthy friends! In my younger years, I had to separate to some degree from friends bc it just was a drag on me spiritually. I’ve bed very fortunate to have very good friends. Not too many close, close ones these days bc I’m pretty consumed w the twins, but many I know I can go to any time for prayer and support. Thanks for sharing this, Donna! 🙂
Thank you so much Kate! I don’t have too many very close ones these days either. The prayer and support is so important and something I covet and appreciate so much! I hope you have a great day! Blessings to you and your family! ❤
Donna, I love the checklist of qualities of a friend a the end. You put some great thought into that list. I think my favorite was the emphasis on prayer.
Thank you Lauren. ❤ I appreciate you taking the time to read this and leave your kind response!
You have such a beautiful heart and this is inspiring and truthful. Thank you for allowing our Father to speak through you.❤️
Love you sweet Dianna!I love your heart, my friend… 😘💕
I could not agree with you more. I love the way you specified and described qualities of the best of friends! #5 is the hardest for me to perform, which is actually rare in happening, but I find it easier to IGNORE painful truths rather than tell them. I find all kinds of excuses not to TELL honest opinion or constructive criticism or conflicting ideas to my friends….. Thanks you for your work to speak for truth and wisdom in Christ!
Thank you Tammy for your encouraging words. It is really difficult for me, too. ❤
Very thought provoking questions ! I do not have any close friends this season of my mine but I am waiting upon the Lord to bring me few friends with these characteristics:)
Thank you for reading and responding today Diana! I appreciate you! I’ve gone through some seasons where the Lord wanted me all to Himself. And I am sure I will again someday lol. He is so good and faithful!! Much love to you … ❤
God has appointed some wonderful friends for me over the years!
That’s awesome Alice! 😊
This is such a sweet heartwarming post. It made me think about my friends that are in my inner circle. I love them all.
Thank you Lacy for your encouragement this morning! I am thankful for the gift of precious friends also! ❤❤❤
I always said Jesus’ greatest achievement was to have 12 really close friends. My circle is small but it’s cause I have high anxiety talking to people I don’t have to and I am working on it. Also working on strengthening the relationships I do have. Thanks for this post
I don’t think I’ve ever had 12 close friends, especially at one time, lol. I’m always going back and forth … planning time with friends and then needing time alone. I find myself always trying to keep that balance so I don’t get too overwhelmed. 😊
Good stuff! 😍 You definitely hit the nail on the head! Thanks for sharing!
You are so welcome Michele! I appreciate you taking the time to read this and respond! 😘❤
Great points, Donna! So much truth here. Friendships can be difficult. You got it right when you said relationships can be messy. But our faith is absolutely amplified when iron sharpens iron.
Yes it sure is!! The ladies that God sent through the years to love, pray and speak over me helped me to grow up! Hugs Bailey! 😘❤
Donna, a lot of what you have shared here could have been about me. I have been hurt so many times by friends that my husband is the only one in my inner circle. Thank you for sharing this.
I hear your heart Leigha. Praying for the Lord to bring healing and also to bring ‘God connections’ into your life, sweet sister! I love that you are building a community for women to find a safe place! Hugs and Blessings to you … 😘 ❤
Donna, this post is a treasure !! I love this verse “The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.”
Proverbs 12:26 NIV” how to choose friends is such an important wisdom
Thank you so much Diana! I love that verse, too. It gives me the shivers to think of how far astray I was at one time! Thank God for His mercy and grace! ❤
Hey! This was a great article. I’m grateful to have been reminded about the important influence our friends have on us and why we should be careful who we allow into our inner circles. God bless you!
Thank you Andrew! God bless you, too! 😊
I’ve never thought much about the definition of “refresh.” However, I just read this blog post after coming in from a sweltering walk. With a cold bottle of water in hand, I sat down to read this and it really gave me a different perspective about relationships, especially with Jesus. I guess in this moment of literal thirst, this message was driven home even further! You’ve built a good list of helpful measures in determining a good friendship. It’s really packed with some important nuggets. I hope those in toxic relationships find encouragement here.
Love it! Love how God times things to happen! ❤ Thank you so much Laura! That means a lot coming from you because you help other people with their relationships all the time! I hope this post will encourage those in toxic relationships too. Blessings … 😘💕
Such clear and practical wisdom here. Believe I’ll be referring to this again and again 😉 Especially loved the temple analogy. I’ve never really considered that before in this context. So good. And helpful! Also, point 3 is so true and I actually really needed that confirmation 💛 Thank you!
Thank you so much Kacy! That encourages me! God really makes His Word personal to me, even from the Old Testament! I know I’ve upset some religious people before when I share stuff like this with them lolol. So thankful that it spoke to your spirit. Confirmation! ❤❤❤
Oh this is good. “When we allow someone into our inner circle, we give them access to speak into our lives. ” That is so true! Growing up, I believed that if someone said they were Christian, they could only steer me the right way. I had to learn the hard way that it’s not always the case, but – as you mentioned – I’m thankful for what I learned and how it got me to where I am now. Thank you for sharing your wisdom!
Jordan, I have so been there! I didn’t grow up in a Christian family, so I didn’t begin to learn how to discern the right relationships until I was way into adulthood, after I received Jesus. I love how you see it as a valuable learning experience too! 😘💕
So beautiful. Thanks for sharing this! True, deep friendships are a rare jewel and worth nurturing when you are blessed to have them.
Lauren, thank you Sister Friend! So true! A good friend is a jewel to treasure and nurture! Have a blessed week!! ❤
Such wonderful qualities in friendship. May god bless us all with a handful or even less than that…two or three friendships with all of these qualities.
Yes! You are so right, Brittany! I would rather have one true friend than many superficial ones. I love ‘real’ and will take one real friend any day over a bunch of nothing special! Blessings sweet sister!! ❤
This is a wonderful resource. Thank you. I’ve often struggled with understanding boundaries in friendship. As the years go by, I realize how important they are. Right now, my hubby is the only one in my inner circle and reading this article has shown me I need to not move my new friends (we’re recently immigrated) into my inner circle because that would be detrimental to my walk with God. On the other side, I also find myself asking the questions you gave to see what kind of a friend am I to others. Time to do some work and improvement on my own heart. 🙂 Thanks for your wisdom and insight.
Thank you Ailie! I’m so glad to find a Sister Friend who also has a hubby occupying her inner circle lol! Stay in prayer and God will give you the wisdom you need to let go of the people who don’t belong in your story. And nurture those He is using to bless and grow us! ❤
I was thinking the same thing! I have several friends who exemplify this list. But how am I in return?
Great question Aryn! I have to ask myself that all the time, too! ❤
This was beautiful to read and I think so so important to recognize when friendships are pulling you away from Christ or bringing you closer to Him. It’s challenging to reflect on your life and determine what changes need to be made and how to prayerfully go through that and still love them. Thanks for your wisdom and opening up about this!
Thank you so much Amy! It was so difficult to let go of connections the Lord showed me were bad for me. I always felt so bad doing that. But I am now on the other side of that and feel so much more peace. I’m learning lately that in my past, I hung on to some really bad “friends” because I didn’t think I deserved better. So blessed to have the ladies God has brought into my life within the last 10 years! They have shown me what true friendship looks like! ❤