Many readers will be familiar with the song made popular by Barbara Streisand, “People who need people are the luckiest people in the world.” She’s right of course.

Jesus was very definitely a people person. He was a friend to and of sinners and ordinary people alike. True, he needed space at times to be alone with God, but he always came back to be with people. He rarely, if ever, ministered alone (except for going to the cross which he alone could do for us). And he relaxed with friends, both male and female.

We all need some close, supportive friends. “Bear one another’s burdens” and “love one another” is at the very heart of Christianity.

Make time to develop and maintain close friendships. In a day of trouble you will need them. You will also need them in good days. We were created for relationships and can only live healthy lives when we are in healthy relationships.

A poet wrote:

I went out to find a friend,

But could not find one there.

I went out to be a friend,

And friends were everywhere.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, help me first of all to be a loving friend and then find loving friends to be with. And thank you that you are a friend of sinners, such as I. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Ecclesiastes 4:12 (TLB)(NLT).