And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart. Ecclesiastes 4:12 NASB

I heard a story of a farmer in Northwest America who recently had a heart attack and was unable to harvest his crop. When it is ripe and ready for harvest, you can’t wait until you are ready or you will lose the crop. One neighbor asked another farmer if they would bring their equipment to harvest the crop for their friend. Other farmers heard of their generosity and decided to help. Many tractors that day made the load light.

The strength of meaningful relationships

  • We are built for relationships. From the beginning, God’s evaluation of mankind was “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Genesis 2:18. The immediate context was marriage, but the principle applies in all aspects of life.
  • Jesus chose disciples that “they might be with him”. His 3 closest friends experienced his life’s most intimate moments like the transfiguration, his trial and resurrection.
  • Better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away. Relationships are nurtured in close contact with one another. These friendships should be cultivated before the day of adversity comes. Too busy for friendships is too busy.
  • It doesn’t matter if you are an extrovert or introvert regarding the depth of your relationships, the key is openness and honesty with a friend.
    Risk has the potential for pain, but the other side is like a magnet that pulls together and sticks.
  • The third strand is symbolic of God’s involvement in the relationship of two people. In marriage, this adds an extra layer of commitment and strength to face difficulties in life. Prayer weaves God into your journeys of life.

Some reflective questions

  • Who are your closest friends?
  • Who thinks of you as their close friends?
  • How did you become close friends? Spend time together, go through a tough experience together?
  • Who do you spend time praying with for one another?
  • Who would come to your aid to help “harvest your crop”? Who would you make the sacrifice to help?

True love for another is never neutral. It finds a way to show it in both word and deed. This type of love grows with time together in the monotony of life experiences, but shows forth its blossoms in adversity.

On this Fear Not Friday, you are not built to stand alone. We have strength to face life’s challenges when we have other arms to link us together. You have been placed in the family of God, love one another deeply.

Blessings Love y’all