Until my cancer battle, I only noticed the first part of Proverbs 17:17: “Friends love at all times.” I’ve delved into the definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13 to study how to be a loving friend and how to spot one. I often ignored the second half of the verse. Once I got cancer, that verse became a living word to me. God’s word always holds and hides treasures and blessings. They wait for us to find them during the most challenging time of our lives.
"A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity." Proverbs 17:17
True Friends
I’m particular in my definition of a friend. I consider “Loves at all times” according to the 1 Corinthian’s 13 definition. It’s a tall order, and very few people are friends according to that standard. Whether you have an epic friend like this or not, when you go through adversity, God can move a sister or a brother into your life for a time of difficulty.
"Love is patient and is kind. Love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud, doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things." 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 WEB
Friends to Sisters
Before my diagnosis, I had a ton of acquaintances in the periphery of my life. I met them by chance and through church, business, or the entertainment industry. However, in the middle of my worst storm, something transformative happened. Many of these periphery friends came alongside me and became my sisters. Then, the second half of Proverbs 17:17 came alive and alive to me. Sisters were born from acquatined for this time of adversity.
"We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
All Things for the Good
People often quote Romans 8:28 when you’re going through the darkest difficulties. It’s the worst time; it causes someone to feel unseen and pain to be dismissed. However, it’s accurate, but for the time after. Most of these women who became my sisters had a mother or family member who had cancer. It was out of that pain that God brought goodness to me and healing to them as they came to my aid. As my health returned, these friends returned to the periphery, further accentuating the blessing of the second part of Proverbs 17:17. God saves hidden blessings for our most difficult times.
