Two Are Better Than One
We were created by God to have a relationship with Him and with others. The Bible clearly states that we have a need for strong and healthy relationships, and in Ecclesiastes Solomon writes about some of the wonderful benefits of having meaningful relationships with others.
In this passage, Solomon points out three interesting benefits of developing relationships rather than being a loner.
First, a friend will help you up after you have fallen. Of course, this could be figurative, as a friend can help you to recover and “get back on your feet.”
Second, a friend or loved one will help to warm you in the cold by staying close by.
Third, when another person puts you in danger a true friend will help protect and defend you.
The three examples provided by Solomon include problems the are self-induced, difficulties that result from natural forces that are beyond our control, and situations that are a result of poor decisions by others. Really, I can’t imagine any problem that we could face that wouldn’t fit into one of these areas.
Solomon reminds us that friends will be there for us regardless of the situation and the circumstances. Following this, Solomon tells us that three is better than two!
Go out and make some new friends and build stronger, healthier relationships. Many of us hold back and “protect” ourselves by not letting others too close. Usually this is a result of hurt from poor relationships in the past, but we need to put that behind us and move forward to build good friendships.
Lord, I thank you for the amazing friends that have blessed my life. Thank you for the many things that they do for me and for how they show their love. I hope and pray that I can be as good a friend to them.
Dr. Ann Shorb is a counselor with CCES in southern Pennsylvania. CCES offers Marriage Counseling, Pre Marital Counseling, and help for a number of other issues.
