VOICE OF TRUTH FOR TODAY
Friendship and Faith
“The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.” ~ Proverbs 27:9 (NLT)
One of the greatest blessings in life is friendship—the kind where you can share real life, both the beautiful moments and the messy bits. Friendship can feel like a warm blanket on a hard day or an upbeat song when your heart needs lifting.
Recently, during one of my regular “coffee dates” over the phone with a dear friend, our conversation turned to faith, parenting, and trusting God in uncertain seasons. My oldest son, Dallas, recently moved back home for a short time and, like many of us at different stages of life, has been wrestling with the question, “Am I where I’m supposed to be?” His uncertainty has caused his faith to waver—and honestly, that’s something we can all relate to.
As believers, we know God is for us. We’ve read the promise that “in all things God works for the good of those who love Him” (Romans 8:28). Yet when decisions feel heavy and answers unclear, trusting God can feel difficult. We want certainty. We want a roadmap.
Then my friend said something that shifted my perspective: “Faith is being fully dependent on God.”
That’s it. Faith isn’t having all the answers—it’s trusting the One who does. It’s choosing dependence on God even when we can’t see what’s ahead. The Bible reminds us, “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:8, NIV).
Jesus—the friend who is closer than a brother—is never surprised by our struggles. He invites us to bring Him everything. And while we don’t know what the future holds, we know Who holds it.
God allows resistance to build perseverance in us. “The testing of your faith produces perseverance” (James 1:3, NIV). That’s how faith grows strong—by fully depending on Him.
I know my son will be okay. And I know I will be too. Along the way, I’m grateful for faithful friends who remind me of God’s promises and gently point me back to Him.
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Excerpt from Voice of Truth Magazine “Kingdom Promise: Abundance, Hope, and a Future” by Kelly Williams Hale