4. Accept their flaws
We all have flaws. We all have faults. We all have defects, failings, weaknesses and sins. Nobody’s perfect. The Bible says in Romans 15:7 (NLT), “Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.”
5. Celebrate wins and share losses
Roman 12:15 (NLT) says, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” And 1 Corinthians 12:26 (TEV) says, “If one part of the body suffers, all the other parts suffer with it; if one part is praised, all the other parts share its happiness.”
You need to learn how to celebrate, not just the good things that happen to you, but the good things that happen to other people, without becoming envious, jealous, critical, resentful or competitive.
6. Bring out their best
You want to help people become the people they can’t be without you. Nobody can become all they’re meant to be by themselves. Your best friend is the person who brings out the best in you. Sometimes friendship requires frankness.
Do you have anybody in your life who you’ve given permission to get in your face? Friends make it their business. Friends take sides. And friends show up.
As I’ve reflected back on the last 15 years that I’ve spent with the same people in the same small group, I wrote a list of the qualities of awesome friends.
• Awesome friends nourish your spirit. They nudge you to grow. They push and prod you to become what you could be.
• Awesome friends help you see the humor in difficulty. They enlarge your perspective from a narrow vision. They help you to stand in the fire.
• Awesome friends help you get unstuck and pull you out of a rut. They give you a jumpstart when your battery needs recharging.
• Awesome friends encourage you when you’re discouraged, provide a shoulder to cry on, revitalize your energy, share your burdens, lift your moods, help you face the unknown and encourage you to trust God more.
Go build some life-giving friendships!
