According to Merriam-Webster, the definition of a friend is “a person who you like and enjoy being with, or a person who helps or supports someone in something (such as a cause or charity).”

The Bible says in Proverbs 18:24 a friend is someone who sticks closer than a brother.

When I think of a friend, I think of my closest friends, my BFFs, the people I consider family.

They are the people who have known me the longest, know what I’m thinking without saying anything and are there for me when I need them most.

It’s the quality—not the quantity—of friendships that matters.

During our time here at college, friendships are formed, broken or maybe simply forgotten.

Someone you called a friend in high school might just turn the cold shoulder whenever you say hi.

It may be that one friend who is always complaining to you about someone or something in their life.

It may be the friend that you are always arguing with over something petty or something you did months ago.

This last example was true in a friendship of mine.

After returning home from camp and getting things right with God the summer before my senior year of high school, I realized I needed to end a friendship with my best friend.

And because of my decision, she told me she no longer wanted to be friends with me.

Fast-forward to the end of summer, and I finally let go of my best friend, realizing her friendship would hinder my spiritual walk.

Now, the friends I have made here at college help me grow closer to God.

They encourage me by listening to my problems and giving me answers from the Bible rather than making up the answers.

When I am in a crisis, they tell me everything will be okay and say they will pray for me. It is also a huge encouragement when I see them around and they ask how it is going and say they actually have been praying for me.

Having heart-to-heart talks is one of the most effective ways for me personally to develop friendships.

Doing this is a good way to encourage each other and learn what is happening in each other’s lives.

Last year, one of my best friends and I had a two-hour conversation. We talked about an issue that involved both of us and voiced our thoughts about it. We read verses to one another to try to give each other peace about the issue.

Being open with my friends is important because it strengthens the relationship and minimizes issues.

Proverbs 27:6 says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.”

Even though your friend may not like what you said to them, it may have been needed to prevent a riff in your relationship with that person.

A true friend is one who loves and cares for you because you both have something in common—the bond you have in the love of Christ.

The love of Christ is the glue between all Christians.

Christ shows love to you and me when we don’t deserve it.

He gave Himself for us by dying on a horrible cross and putting all the weight of our sin on Himself. 

Christ is selfless, loving, good, merciful, gracious and the list goes on.

Christ is the perfect  example of what a true friend is and how a true friend should be.