Proverbs 18:24 (NLT) shares, “There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend
sticks closer than a brother.”
As I grew up, and throughout my twenties, it always seemed that I could not escape the jealousy of my
peers—my “girl” friends. It got to the point that I decided there was too much drama and I was
better off befriending only people much older than me, including guys, until that too came with its own
trouble.
Near my thirties my world got shaken after I faced a divorced, followed by another
significant relationship ending about five years later.
I decided to turn to my church and turn to faith-filled women who supported me in starting to understand what it meant to turn to God.
For the first time in my life, I realized the value of open and vulnerable relationships with other
women who were my peers. We had several years of love, laughter, mourning together, and
lifting each other up.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV) had come to life for me: “Therefore encourage one another and
build each other up, just as you are already doing.”
At no fault of any of the women in this “life group” of mine, years later this “season” of our lives
made some shifts and while the love remained, the regular connecting, companionship and
sharing of life waned.
For me, the next season came with opening myself up to a whole new set of people—speaking
a different language! My husband and I began to attend the Spanish-speaking services of our
church and went on mission trips together with them, and I fell IN LOVE with this new group of
people.
I immediately realized I needed them in my life and I believe God had known all along that I
would, so He orchestrated it all. With the love of these people, I grew my understanding of
what it meant to not only turn to God, but to truly accept Jesus. I began to connect more deeply
with the congregation, especially the women, and there was a time that God made it clear
for me that I needed to humble myself to be more authentic and vulnerable with them. I chose to
be courageous, trusting God would lead me to the appropriate people for sharing my struggles
and what a blessing and freedom that has been!
I felt the words in 1 John 1:6 (ESV) pressing on my heart – “If we say we have fellowship with
him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.”
Our current sermon series has us looking at the Word to learn more about the importance of the
relationships we have with both God and the people in our lives. We have looked at David’s
circumstances, especially in 2 Samuel chapters 7 and 23 and have been reminded that we need
people like Nathan in our lives who will encourage us and point us toward God and our full
potential.
We also need “mighty warriors” who will take a stand and support us in our battles.
As I reflect on these lessons, I am grateful that God also nudged me to rekindle relationships
among my English-speaking peers and I’ve now added to my faith walk (for over a year and a
half), a women’s bible study group. They too have encouraged me and have also been there in
times I’ve needed the “hands and feet of Jesus” in big ways. They have also challenged me to
dig deeper into the word and apply it to my life, through our ongoing bible studies together.
But my relationships are not intended to only benefit me. I, too, am to be an encourager, prayer
warrior, and servant to the friends in my life. And I am grateful for the opportunity!
Jesus said, in John 15:12-13 (NLT), “This is my commandment: Love each other in the same
way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
My pastor shared recently there are at least 59 scriptures that refer to doing something with one
another or for one another. Let’s pay attention! There is already so much competition, judgment,
criticism and negativity in the world around us.
Who can you be vulnerable enough with to really be “seen” and who can you take the time to really “see”?
While we will not be perfect, let us act on the words of Romans 12:10 and “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”
BIOGRAPHY
Angela Nieves loves growing her faith and connecting with others who want the same. She has
served in her church for many years as a small group facilitator, facilitating wellness education
with a Christian basis, serving the community and abroad, and supporting the social media
visibility of her church’s ministry. She lives in Florida with her husband, Elvin, and feels called to
share more of her testimony to support others in understanding the freedom of humility,
vulnerability, and leaning into Jesus.
