Plugging In to the Power Source

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 12:8-10

My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9

SO YOU WANT to be an available friend. What’s the first step?

Your first step is to believe with all your heart that you are completely, utterly, absolutely clueless how to be that kind of friend.

Really. The secret to being a good friend is admitting that on your own you can’t be that kind of friend. It’s not fun to own up to, but you don’t have the strength and wisdom to be such a friend. Nobody does. That truth isn’t meant to make you feel bad but to make you depend on Christ for the power and strength to be the kind of friend he is. Admitting that you are weak and needy is humbling. But plugging in to

Christ’s strength is empowering!

Think of all the times your brain is engaged with your own needs. Will you admit your need to depend on Christ to be more caring like him?

____ Yes

____ I’ll try

Think of all the times your attention drifts when other people talk. Then will you admit that you need to depend upon Christ to be a better listener like him?

____ Yes

____ I’ll try

Think of times you have told someone’s secret-just to one person, of course. Then will you admit that you don’t have what it takes to keep your friends’ comments confidential? Will you depend on Christ to be a safe zone like him?

____ Yes

____ I’ll try

Whisper this verse to God: “I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need” (Philippians 4: 13). Whisper the verse again. Then once again.

You can be more Christlike and a better loving friend to others-but only with Christ’s help and Christ’s strength! He will help you to admit your weakness and help you depend on his strength even more.

Your power source for being a more Christlike friend is the Holy Spirit living and working inside you. As a Christian, you are God’s child, and his Spirit of love lives inside you. You grow into being a good friend as you live in God and he lives in you.

REFLECT: In being a Christlike friend, what’s the area in which you need to depend on him most?

PRAY: Ask God for help in that specific area.