Here’s one thing that I think we can agree on; as Christ followers, we are called to live lives of obedience—to reflect the love, grace, and truth of Jesus in every aspect of our relationships. We strive to be His hands and feet, bringing hope and vibrancy to a post-Christian culture that desperately needs light. But it’s when difficult times strike that our faith is truly tested. This is when life gets interesting, when it gets real. It’s in these moments that we move from being fair-weather friends to demonstrating Christ-like behavior in a way that the world can see.
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17)
This verse challenges us to consider how we respond when relationships become inconvenient or costly. Do we lean into the difficulty, or do we pull away? The truth is, the way we handle adversity in relationships isn’t just a private matter—it’s deeply public. Our families are watching. Our business associates are watching. The world is watching. Whether they say it or not, people want to know if we are truly walking the walk of being Christ followers.
It’s a powerful question to ask ourselves: If a jury of our peers examined our lives, would there be enough evidence to convict us of living as children of the King?
Friendship That Reflects Christ
It’s always a good idea to understand what it means to be a friend born for adversity to look to Jesus—the ultimate example of unwavering love and loyalty. Jesus didn’t avoid difficult relationships or messy situations; He entered into them fully, loving people when they were unlovable and standing by them when they were at their worst.
(Here’s a post about different examples of Jesus and His difficult relationships)
His love was sacrificial, steadfast, and deeply public. He didn’t just preach about love—He lived it out in front of others, even when it cost Him everything. As His followers, we are called to mirror this kind of love in our own lives and relationships.
When Relationships Get Messy
Relationships aren’t always easy. People are imperfect, and life is full of challenges that test our patience and resolve. But these moments—when things get messy—are precisely when Christ-like friendship matters most.
Over the years, I’ve seen how transformative relationships can be when they’re grounded in perseverance and grace. Whether mentoring someone in need or walking alongside a friend facing hardship, staying present through adversity has the power to change lives—and hearts. These moments are not just private; they’re opportunities for others to see Christ at work in us.
Living Out Our Faith Publicly
The church—and every community of believers—should be a place where friendships thrive even in difficulty. It should be a space where brothers and sisters bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2), forgive freely (Colossians 3:13), and refuse to give up on each other—even when things get hard.
This kind of love creates an unshakeable family—a family connected not by shared circumstances but by the blood of Christ spilled on the cross. And this family doesn’t exist only behind closed doors; it exists in public view, where our faith is on display for others to see.
When we choose to lean into difficult relationships instead of pulling away, we show the world what it means to follow Jesus—not just with our words but with our actions. And those actions often speak louder than anything we could say.
Leaning In When It Matters Most
So here’s my challenge: Let’s embrace the hard conversations and challenging moments that test our friendships and faith. Let’s move toward each other instead of pulling away when life gets tough. Let’s be friends who love at all times and brothers and sisters who are born from adversity.
Because when life gets real—when relationships get messy—that’s where true friendship begins. And as followers of Christ, those moments give us the chance to show His love in action—to live lives worthy of being called children of the King.