The Bottom Line, Ministries Christian News, Articles, & Poetry 
Proverbs 17:17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” — Proverbs 17:17
Relationships are the sacred threads that weave our lives into meaning. From the quiet companionship of a friend to the enduring bond of family, God designed us for connection. Proverbs 17:17 reminds us that true love is not seasonal—it endures through adversity, disappointment, and change. In a world that often prizes independence, Scripture calls us to interdependence, to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2), and to love not just in word but in deed (1 John 3:18).
Consider Jesus’ relationship with His disciples: He walked with them, taught them, forgave them, and ultimately laid down His life for them (John 15:13). This is the model of divine friendship—one that is sacrificial, honest, and healing. In our own lives, we are called to cultivate relationships that reflect Christ’s love. That means listening when it’s inconvenient, forgiving when it’s hard, and showing up when others falter.
Relationships also require boundaries and discernment. Not every connection is meant to be permanent, and some may need to be redefined for the sake of peace and spiritual health. Even Jesus withdrew at times to pray and reset (Luke 5:16). We must learn to balance presence with wisdom, compassion with clarity. When we invite God into our relationships, He helps us navigate both the joy and the complexity.
In caregiving, relationships take on a sacred weight. The daily acts of service—feeding, comforting, advocating—become expressions of divine love. These moments, though exhausting, are holy. They remind us that love is not just a feeling but a choice, a discipline, and a reflection of God’s heart. Christianity Today often explores how caregiving reveals the depth of relational grace, especially when we feel stretched thin.
Scripture Support:
- Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 — Two are better than one…
- John 15:13 — Greater love hath no man than this…
- Romans 12:10 — Be kindly affectioned one to another…
“LORD- thank You for the gift of relationships. Teach me to love with Your heart, to forgive with Your mercy, and to walk with others in grace. May my connections reflect Your covenant love, and may I be a vessel of healing and joy in every relationship You entrust to me. In Jesus name, Amen.”
Sometimes we don’t realize what we have in a relationship until we lose it. We need to cherish our relationships. Thank you for these great reminders.
Thank you Dale,
And this is an affirmation – I just learned today that Jennifer Woodley (former writer on TBL)- my sweet “over the ocean” friend from Australia has passed away. We had known each other and communicated for 15 years. She was a blessing, a treasured friend – and my heart is simply broken. But your words touched my heart, cherish every single relationship in life, and thank God for them. Sundays will never be the same without her beautiful emails, inspirational messages, and scriptures, and her loving kind soul. I know I will meet her one day in person, until such time, I know she collected her crown for a race well run. Earths loss, Heaven’s gain…
God BLess
yes and amen
its good to have good friends.. you are allmy good friends n tbl
Thank you so much Keith for your kind words and comments all the time.
Yes – we are all children of God bringing forward a message to the readers, and all friends in Christ!
Amen,
God Bless~