Me and a friend were catching a flight together. But she seemed a bit tired. When we got to the airport, she forgot to have her passport and documents handy. The check-in agent waited patiently and helped find her reference number. After getting her ticket, she asked, “Where do we go next?” The agent smiled, pointed at me and said, “Stay close to your friend.”

That’s good advice when we’re struggling to keep on top of things—stay close to your friends. Although Jesus is our best friend, we also need our school friends, family and church to help us stay on track.

In his first letter, Peter wrote to Christians who were suffering for following Jesus. He said they needed one another during this difficult time. Peter encouraged them to pray for one another, “love each other deeply” and “offer hospitality” (1 PET. 4:7-9).

He also reminded them to use their gifts to serve one another (V.10). In other passages, we’re encouraged to comfort each other with the comfort we’ve been given by God (2 COR. 1:3-4) and to build each other up in love (1 THESS. 5:11).

When life gets difficult and we get tired, worn down or fed up, staying close to our Christian friends will help us to get through.

By: Anne Cetas

To Pray About . . .

Lord, I want to follow You closely. While I am doing so, please give me friends who can walk with me on this journey.