Got Friends?

25% of Americans in recent surveys report having no significant friendships. Americans, who do report having significant friendships, now have an average of two. Past surveys indicated Americans had four friends, on average. Recent trends showing the decline in the numbers of friends we have should be alarming. Significant friendships are essential to healthy living. In fact, a lack of friends can lead to health issues, depression, alcoholism, drug abuse, loneliness, lack of self-confidence, and many others.

Books, seminars, lectures and many counseling sessions focus on the subject of friendship. People long to have meaningful relationships with each other. Friends - good friends - are rare. The Bible speaks clearly, both directly and indirectly about the value of having friends.

Proverbs 17:17 – A friend loves at all times.

Think about the friendships between Ruth and Naomi, David and Jonathan, Mary, Martha, Lazarus and Jesus, Moses and Aaron, Peter, James and John (original three stooges). These friendships should serve as an example of how we should care for each other.

The Apostle Paul displayed a great example by giving his readers a glimpse into his personal friendships. Paul’s list of close friends is worth imitating.

Luke – Paul’s doctor and traveling companion who is our example of faithful and dependable.

Apollos – Paul’s friend and fellow leader who was noble.

Barnabas – Paul’s encourager.

Titus – Paul's’ refreshing, creative steadfast friend.

Timothy – Paul’s young friend who stood for eager spiritual growth.

Epaphroditus – Paul’s gracious and humble friend.

Paul’s list of friends goes on and on serving to remind us of the characteristics friends should possess. We have all heard that in order to have a friend, we must first be a friend. Look around today and see if someone you know needs encouragement and become the type of friends your friends would love to have.

The lyrics to the theme from Cheers

Where Everybody Knows Your Name
by Gary Portnoy

Making your way in the world today
Takes everything you've got;
Taking a break from all your worries
Sure would help a lot.Wouldn't you like to get away?


Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows your name,
And they're always glad you came;
You want to be where you can see,
Our troubles are all the same;
You want to be where everybody knows your name.

I suppose it would have made more sense to use words from the theme to the TV show Friends, but I think Cheers was funnier.