Born for Adversity

"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." Proverbs 17:17

This verse stumped me for a long time. Why would my brother be born for adversity? My brother and I would fight a lot growing up, and we had some crazy sibling rivalry going on at our house. If you have brothers or sisters than I'm sure you can relate. At the same time, I was sure that wasn't the reason my brother was born, so we could fight and drive each other crazy.  As I thought about this verse, I realized that I was way off on my interpretation of this particular scripture.

The verse is a prescription for a health friendship. What this verse is really saying is that friendship is at it's best, not in good times, but in times of trouble. A true friend is going to love at ALL times, not just in the good times when nothing is wrong, or everything is right with the world. If a friend leaves you when times get tough then they're not really your friend at all. You're probably better off without those types of "friends". The Bible tells us that we should choose our friends carefully. "The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray." Prov. 12:26. This verse tells us that even the righteous are in danger if they don't choose their friends wisely.

The best and truest friend is one that is there for you no matter what you're going through. A brother or sister that is born for adversity. When you're going through an adverse situation, when you're going through the battle, and when you're going through a war. The friend that is there for you is the truest friend. We can't make it alone as a christian. We're called to do life together as brothers and sisters in Christ. Let's listen to the advice of the wisest man, besides Jesus, to walk this earth-King Solomon.

"Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls. For he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can they keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken." Ecc. 4:9-12

I'm thankful for my brothers in Christ that I can call, hang out, and pray with. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and any other Social Media is very superficial and not your answer. You need real face to face friendships, brothers, and sisters in Christ. If you have small groups at your church, get plugged into one. We're called to do life together.

"But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin." 1 John 1:7