Relationships can be very rewarding.  Friends challenge you to think and thus grow in so many areas of your life. Relationships can be expressed in two different ways, through our actions or through our words.  I often say to my husband “Wil, I am not in your life to tear you down but to build you up.”  We have to look at our relationship as having worth and dignity.  We never get rid of things that we value dearly.  Anything that we value defines us and brings a level of security.  As women of standard, we don’t pick or choose who we encourage.  Whoever we are in relationship with, it is our duty to encourage them on a regular basis.   

I Thessalonians 5:11 NASB Paul wrote, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.”

“Encourage” is from a Greek work “parakaleo” meaning to come alongside and console, cheer up, comfort or help someone else.  We are to build up others who don’t have confidence in themselves.  In Thessalonians 5:14 NASB Paul again tells us to encourage the timid – those who are discouraged and looks like they are ready to throw in the towel or give up on life.  We must share our faith and our hope with those we are in relationship with.  We must help those who can’t help themselves which is our Christian duty.  When we are going through our valley experiences, it is those times we can appreciate the value of a true friend.  When you have a Christian friend, you have the extra benefit of being able to discuss spiritual issues, pray for one another and thereby grow spiritually.  Spiritual growth is a deeper level of growth and more fulfilling; it is by far one of the greatest elements of a strong relationship you can ever experience in life.

Ecclesiastes 4:10, KJV says “Woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up.” We were created by God for relationships.  That is what makes our lives more fulfilling and more meaningful.