Bible Verses About Marriage
God’s Purpose for Every Woman
A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. — Ecclesiastes 4:12 NLT
I am a relational person. I love to be around people. If there’s a party, I’m there. If girlfriends are getting together for lunch, I’m there. If there’s a good topic on a message board, I’m there. If you call me on the phone, I’ll talk to you. My mom says the reason I had four kids was just so I’d always have people around me. She might be right!
There’s a particular group of people I get together with weekly. These four women have become fabulous friends of mine. When we gather, my social tank gets filled to its fullest. We talk about our families, jobs, housework, insecurities, fears, trials, and celebrations. We pray for the same things we talk about. We study the Bible together. The difference between these and most of my other relationships is that our friendships are grounded in Christ.
When a relationship is grounded in Christ, a new level of intimacy is achieved. We know what we say to each other is in Christian love, so we can say just about anything without fear of judgment or abandonment. We call ourselves “The Fab 5.” We are not just five fabulous friends, but we also have recognized five fabulous qualities that make our friendships solid.
Love. We love each other unfailingly, the way Christ loves us. A true friend loves you even when you are unlovable.
Encouragement. We intentionally try to build each other up. I want these ladies to know I believe in them.
Forgiveness. Forgiveness requires a loving heart and a lot of nerve. The Lord does not keep a record of our sins, and neither should we. Everyone needs forgiveness at some point.
Accountability. We love each other enough to be real before each other. This is HARD! To give accountability you need to be honest, bold, available, and authentic. To receive it, you need to be humble, open, and approachable. Not everyone wants accountability, but we all need it. In our group, we ask for accountability in certain areas of our lives.
Service. I don’t know what I’d do without the service these ladies have provided me with at key times in my life. Meals, housecleaning, taking care of kids, a listening ear, making me a CD (I love music!)… these all come to mind when I think of things they have done for me. Their service is love in action.
Today’s key verse reminds me of my Fab 5 group. It says that one can be easily defeated and two can conquer. That’s true. When I am alone, I often allow negative and defeating thoughts to take over. Not so when I’m with true friends. They don’t put up with that! Now add a third partner to the relationship, Jesus. With just my friends, I am uplifted and encouraged, but when Jesus is a part of the friendship, look out! We are indestructible and we can do anything! That’s because “a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”
Dear Lord, thank You for my friends. Help me to be a friend who loves at all times. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Application Steps
Do you have friends like the Fab 5? If not, pray for and pursue such relationships. Join a Bible study or begin a prayer group in your home. Integrate the “Fab 5” qualities of friendship into your relationships.
Copyright © Lysa TerKeurst and Rachel Olsen, published by Harvest House Publishers. Used with Permission.
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