What to do when you don’t know what to do

Have you ever felt like you didn’t have any friends? I moved about two years ago, and I still have a hard time making new friends. I sometimes have dreams of meeting the perfect friend who loves the same things I do, has my same interests, and maybe has experienced some of the same situations I have. But I never seem to find the perfect friend like I dream of.

One night, as I was praying to God, I realized that I will never find a perfect friend. Every person is different, and throughout our lives, we will have different friendships. Yet we all have one thing in common—we are sinners in need of God’s mercy and love. And God doesn’t give up on us. He wants us to be in friendship with Him, so He made a way for us to be forgiven. Jesus calls us His friends, and He made the ultimate sacrifice by taking our sins and dying on the cross, then resurrecting from the dead to defeat sin and death so we can be with Him forever when He returns. Until then, He has sent His Holy Spirit to be in everyone who has put their trust in Him.

After I realized that only Jesus can be my perfect friend, I was excited. He is available whenever I need to talk to Him, and He always wants to listen to me. Through His Holy Spirit, Jesus is with me throughout my day, He gives me wisdom and strength when I need it, and He comforts me when things are hard. God doesn’t just want to give me the resources I need. He wants to be my resource. He wants to be my friend.

The Bible says that God designed us for community and that friendship is important. God even offers us wisdom in choosing our friends. We all need a good friend, but it’s important to remember that we will never find a perfect friend. Sometimes, you may feel like you don’t have any friends. But in those times, remember that you’re not alone. Jesus is near. And keep praying for God to guide you to another friend in His perfect timing. • Aubrey Hairr

• Have you ever thought of God as a friend? What might it mean to be friends with God?

• Have you been hoping for a friend? Is there someone in your life you might have overlooked because they didn’t seem like a “perfect friend†or because they’re different from you?

• While we are called to be kind to all people, what is different about being friends with someone? How can you be a good friend (Proverbs 13:20; 16:28; 17:17; 22:24-25; 27:5-6)? How has Jesus been a good friend to you?

“No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends.†John 15:13 (CSB)

Read Verses:

Psalm 32:8-11; James 1:2-8; Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18