The Hope Quotientনমুনা

Meaningful friendships increase your life span and benefit your health, your marriage, and your ability on the job. That’s why at Bayside, we came up with a catchy motto for our small groups: “Join a Group or Die.” Winston Churchill, Great Britain’s prime minister during World War II, connected deeply with all kinds of people. He had a strong marriage, a solid family, close friends, and a large number of successful work relationships. On the other hand, he had terrible health habits—smoking, drinking, overeating, and not sleeping. Once asked if he exercised, Churchill replied, “I get all the exercise I need being a pallbearer for my friends who run and do exercises.” Yet he lived to be ninety years old. In the Bible, godly people routinely sought the support of others. At one time, David was in deep trouble so his best friend, Jonathan, searched for him. Can you imagine how David’s hope soared when Jonathan showed up to encourage him? Their friendship calls all of us to ask a critical question: Do I have someone in my life like that? Friendship is the best investment you’ll ever make. Friendships lift you because they provide encouragement, support during tough times, and healthy accountability. The battle of everyone’s life is to continue developing our relationship with God. That’s a battle I cannot win alone. God didn’t design us to win alone. We need a community that is waging the same war and God provided us. We win the lifelong battle to stay encouraged and hold on to hope only as we join others who need our help to win their battles as well. Think Up: God’s people in the Bible sought the support of others. You can, too. A dream without a team is merely a wish. Who is on your team? (Read on).