When you were a kid in kindergarten, it seemed so much easier to make friends.

All you had to do was compliment someone’s shoes on the playground, ask if they wanted to play a game—and voila! You were instant best friends. At least it felt that way.

As an adult, finding friendship—and especially finding meaningful friendship—is so much harder. With life’s many responsibilities, it’s easy for old friendships to stagnate, new friendships to waver, and potential friendships to make no progress. 

Are you feeling friendless today?

Maybe your best friend recently moved away, or maybe you’re the one who did the moving. Perhaps a community of friends turned sour through gossip or betrayal. Perhaps you’ve been feeling down and find it hard to socialize.

Whatever the reason, you are feeling friendless—and more than a little bit lonesome. It’s hard to feel hopeful when it feels like friendships are going south, but we can turn to the Bible for wisdom and hope. I invite you to take a few moments today to pray through these Proverbs with me. Reflect on its wise reminders about the friendships we don’t have, the friendships we do have, and friendships yet to come: 

1. God, thank you for the friendships I do have. While I might not have many lasting friendships, please remind me that the loyal friends who have stuck by me through the years are precious.
   Some friendships do not last, but some friends are more loyal than brothers. —Proverbs 18:24 (GNTD) 
2. Lord, help me to be wise in my friendships. Help me to discern when a friendship is healthy and when it’s not. Bring people into my life who can be an encouragement to me, and to whom I can be an equal encouragement.
   Keep company with the wise and you will become wise. — Proverbs 13:20a (GNTD)
3. God, please help me restore broken friendships. Help me to forgive friends who try to love me well but fail—and please help my friends to give me grace as well. Remind me of your unending friendship to me, and show me how to find my comfort in you. 
   Better to correct someone openly than to let him think you don't care for him at all. Friends mean well, even when they hurt you. But when an enemy puts his arm around your shoulder—watch out! — Proverbs 27:5-6 (GNTD)