No man is an island. There will be times in each of our lives when we just can’t go it alone. In those instances, we will need relationships and the support of a few good friends.
9 Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
10 If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, New International Bible, 1978/2011).
Our relationships should be mutualistic, where both parties benefit. Unconditional love and support are important to our wellbeing. However, we should keep in mind that, when it comes to relationships, quantity and quality are not synonymous. It is better to have a few good friends than to be surrounded by hordes of insincere people. We need people who are able to weather our storms with us.
“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother,” (Proverb 18:24, New International Bible, 1978/2011).
Unfortunately, storms often reveal relationships’ strength as well as people’s character. Fair-weathered friends typically vanish during difficult times. These types of individuals will remain committed only if they are not required to make a significant personal investment. These unrequited friendships lean towards the rewards of relationships while evading the associated responsibilities. Avoid these people.
“A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need,” (Proverbs 17:17, New Living Translation, 1996/2015).
Some friendships are meant to last a lifetime, while others are only meant to last a season. Learn to differentiate between the two. Clearing out relationships that no longer serve us creates room for new, meaningful relationships.
Learn How to Meet New People and Form Relationships
Developing new friendships after grade school and college can be difficult. We spend the majority of our time at work, and we don’t always find opportunities to mingle after hours. Below are a few simple suggestions on how to meet new people.
Be Yourself
Most of us usually present our best selves when we first meet new people. However, our public persona should not vary significantly from our true character. We need to keep in mind that our inherent personality will eventually manifest. We want people in our lives who will love and accept us, and it is better to know that up front. Knowing that not everyone will like us is a key factor in helping us to be ourselves.
Be Open
Our society places an extraordinarily high value on appearances. We tend to judge people by frivolities such as looks, profession, status, and even religious affiliations. The problem is that when we judge people by their external appearance, we often miss out on wonderful people who are often great friends. When establishing new relationships, we should resist the urge to write people off because they do not meet our preconceived standards.
Say Yes More Often
Learn to become more flexible. Say “yes” a little more often. While establishing boundaries in our relationships is very important, we should not use our boundaries as crutches and reasons to say “no.” Many of us have become rigid for a variety of reasons, and saying “no” has become our default answer to many invitation requests. Saying “yes” with a little more frequency could open more doors for new, potential relationships.
Find a Cause and Volunteer
“A friend in need is a friend indeed.” Volunteering is one of the best ways to meet new people. This selfless task provides us with an opportunity to prioritize someone else’s needs and to take our attention off ourselves. Additionally, it creates an environment for like-minded people with similar interests.
Join a Social Networking Group
Although there are several instances where opposites attract, the truth is that we are more likely to become friends with people with whom we share common interests. Joining a church group, a professional organization, or even an online social network are good ways to meet new friends. There are even friendship apps designed to enable like-minded individuals to connect.
Summary
The previous list is not exhaustive. There are many other ways to meet new people. For those who struggle with interpersonal skills, it might be beneficial to find resources on how to effectively communicate. Read articles and books that provide the skills and tools needed to develop and maintain healthy relationships.
Everyone should find their tribe. One of the main keys to having healthy, productive relationships is to find someone with whom we can share and experience life.
12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends,” (John 15:12–13, New International Bible, 1978/2011).
Read More From the 7-Day Reset Series:
7- Day Reset | Day 4 Gratitude
7 -Day Reset | Day 3: Balls to the Wall
Biblical References
- New International Bible. (2011). The NIV Bible. https://www.thenivbible.com (Original work published 1978)
- New Living Translation. (2015). New Living Translation. https://www.tyndale.com/nlt/ (Original work published 1996)