#271 – The Art of Friendship

Do you struggle with friendship? Even before staying inside all day was the thing to do, many faced challenges with friendships, especially as adults. Whether it’s throwing in the towel on friendships too easily, expecting deep connections to come too quickly, or believing the false narrative that we don’t “need” friends, truth is [...]

Do you struggle with friendship? Even before staying inside all day was the thing to do, many faced challenges with friendships, especially as adults. Whether it’s throwing in the towel on friendships too easily, expecting deep connections to come too quickly, or believing the false narrative that we don’t “need” friends, truth is a lot of us have room to grow in this area.

What a friend we have in Jesus,

All our sins and griefs to bear!

Those words are from the classic hymn What a Friend We Have in Jesus. Friendship with Jesus is one of the many blessings we get as believers. But, have you ever stopped to think about how you should be applying friendship to others the way God displays friendship in the Bible? 

In my interview with Bible teacher, author, and podcast and radio host, Kim Wier, we do just that and explore the concept of friendship as an art and as a biblical doctrine. Kim encourages us to shift our thinking when it comes to building and maintaining friendships by modeling one of the most overlooked doctrines in the Bible, the doctrine of God’s friendship 

Making and keeping friends is hard, but it’s what we are called to do. Kim, a married mom of four adult children and grandmother of four, talks about periods of loneliness throughout her adult life. When we find ourselves feeling lonely, it’s our body’s way of signaling a longing for relationships to meet the deep soul need that we are created for. Don’t run from friendship and keep loneliness around because of fear instilled by past hurts and hang-ups with others. Run to friendship because it is what you need to fill the void. We are meant to have friendship in all relationships, not just with our BFFs, but also with our spouses, parents, and children.

Kim grew up as the new kid moving around often. That led to a childhood pattern of feeling like she didn’t fit in. It’s patterns like those that we often overlook from childhood until we find there is no way of escaping them in our adult life without facing them head-on. Even though there was no shortage in her knowing people, Kim still experienced seasons of loneliness as an adult. God took Kim on a journey where she learned that it’s not about knowing people; it’s about fulfilling purpose and having deep connections with people. From that journey, Kim’s latest book, The Art of Friendship.

This conversation is for all of us. We are always better together and designed to do life in community. Kim’s lessons on handling loneliness, pursuing friendships again after painful past experiences, the doctrine of friendship, and showing agape love remind us that we’re all imperfect people, made in the image of the perfect friend, created with a purpose to have deep connections with others.

Showing agape love
Starting over in friendship
Understanding the doctrine of friendship
Following God’s friendship guide

Resources from today’s show 

Connect with Kim on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or on her website.
Purchase Kim’s book, The Art of Friendship 
Sign up to receive the 365 Days of Hope Daily Devotional.
Listen to the Art of Friendship with Kim Wier podcast.
Catch Kim’s live-streamed radio show Sunday Night Live! with Kim Wier on Sundays from 7-9 pm CT.
Listen to over 900 archived guest interviews from Kim’s radio show.

Click to Tweet 

You were created to be in community in relationships and friendships. It’s in your spiritual DNA. -Kim Wier
Having friends isn’t about not being lonely. It’s about fulfilling a purpose. -Kim Wier
We will be in relationships with imperfect people, but it also helps to remember they’re in relationships with this imperfect person. -Kim Wier
Understand that friendship for a believer is not an optional activity. It is actually a biblical calling. -Kim Wier
One of the most overlooked doctrines in the entire Bible is the friendship of God. -Kim Wier
Intimate friendship takes time. -Kim Wier

Other Stuff to Check Out

Did you catch my last episode on resilience with Alli Worthington? Listen here.

Check out my new book! The 28-Day Prayer Journey

Need to encourage your soul? Try listening to the playlist I put together for my mom, Lady Lois’ Worship

Interested in supporting the content I create and enjoying bonus content?  Learn about joining my Inner Circle!

My book, Be sure and also check out my other books She’s Still There, Show Up For Your Life,  Kingdom Woman!

Are you facing a season of loneliness? How are you seeking out connections with others?
How are you building and maintaining friendships in 2020 as COVID-19 is limiting in-person interactions?
How have you intentionally pursued friendships with your spouse? Parents? Children? Weir

Connect with me…

How to Listen to The Podcast

If you’re new to podcasts, think of them like little radio shows that you can listen to at your convenience. They are perfect to listen to and learn from as you workout, fold laundry, wash dishes or conquer the world.

1. Listen right here on the blog. Click the little play button at the beginning of this post.

2. Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play! – Be sure and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Also, if you would be so kind as to leave a rating on iTunes and/or write a 2-3 sentence review there or on Stitcher?  Your commentary or rating helps make the podcast more “findable” by others who might not know it exists!

3. Share today’s show –   Email the link to a friend or share on social media. Just click on the sharing buttons at the bottom of this post!

You have been so great to join me on the journey here on the blog, I hope you jump right in and do the same on the podcast!