A Friend Loves at All Times
A friend loves at all times-Proverbs 17:17
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”-Proverbs 17:17
What is a True Friend?
True friendship is one of God’s most beautiful gifts. A friend is someone with whom we share a bond of mutual affection, trust and support. It is a relationship built on reliability, safety, and love-one that reflects the very heart of God.
A true sister-friend relationship is especially unique. It blends the beauty of chosen friendship with the fierce loyalty of family. It is a bond that often feels like a lifelong soulmate connection-one that provides a safe space for growth, honesty, and vulnerability.
In many of these friendships, she becomes your prayer warrior-lifting you up spiritually, checking on your well-being, and standing in the gap for you, even without knowing every detail.
Friendship Through Every Season
Friends are there in both joyful and difficult seasons. They encourage us when life feels heavy and celebrate with us in moments of victory.
A true friend:
Listens without judgement
Supports without conditions
Walks beside you through every stage of life
These friendships grow and evolve, encouraging one another to become stronger, wiser, and closer to God.
I often think of a dear colleague I’ve known for many years-someone I lovingly call my sister-friend. Our connection is filled with open communication, laughter, and love. Whether we’re sitting together for long breakfasts or lunches, talking for hours, or catching up on the phone, those moments are meaningful and full of joy.
That is the beauty of true friendship-it is never rushed, never forced, and always genuine.
A Friend Loves at All Times
Why is this kind of friendship so important?
Because God’s Word reminds us that a friend loves at all times-not only when life is good, but in every season: the good, the bad, and everything in between.
A true friend does not hold onto grudges, bitterness, or envy. She does not stop loving because of disagreement or distance. Instead, she chooses love-again and again.
Love is the Foundation
1 Corinthians 13:1 reminds us: “If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.”
Without love, nothing else truly matters.
We may have knowledge, gifts, or even great faith-but without love, we are empty. We may give, serve, and and do what appears good, but if love is not at the center, it profits nothing.
God defines love clearly:
Love is patient and serene
Love is kind and thoughtful
It is not jealous or envious
It does not brag and is not arrogant
It is not rude or self-seeking
it is not easily angered and keeps no record of wrongs
It rejoices in truth, not injustice
It bears all things, believes the best, hopes in all things, and endures through every trial
Love never fails.
Growing Into True Love
You cannot truly love someone one day and harbor bitterness the next. Genuine love is steady, consistent, and reflective of God’s nature.
As we grow in faith, we are called to maturity-to put away childish behaviors and embrace a deeper, more Christ-like love. Though we may not fully understand everything now, one day we will see clearly, just as God sees us.
Until then, three things remain:
Faith. Hope. Love.
And the greatest of these is love.
Final Reflection
Let us cherish and nurture the gift of true friendship. Let us be the kind of friend who loves at all times-through joy, through trials, and through every season of life.
Because a true friend doesn’t walk away when things get hard…
She stays.
She prays.
She loves.
And she remains.
Reflection Question:
Who in your life reflects this kind of friendship-and how can you be that friend to someone else today?
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for the gift of true friendship. Teach me to love as You love-patiently, selflessly, and faithfully. Help me to be a friend who reflects Your heart in every season. Amen.
