Day 5: Sharpened in Relationship

Scripture:
Proverbs 27:17 (KJV) — “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”

Devotional:
The best way to assess if your relationships are healthy is to understand what a healthy relationship looks like. The writer of Proverbs shows us the standard: one friend can make another better. But for that to happen, the blades have to touch.

When we’ve been wounded, getting close to people is often the furthest thing from our minds. Our natural impulse is to retreat and protect ourselves. Yet the sharpening can only happen when we allow ourselves to come close.

A true friend is there to walk with you on the days when you don’t even have the language for what you’re going through. They pour into your heart and soul without looking for anything in return. They want to see you whole. They want the best for you.

But real friendship isn’t always comfortable. When you’re the problem, this kind of friend will tell you the truth. They’ll remind you that you’re better than the way you’re behaving. They’ll hold you accountable to be your best self. This, too, is part of finding who you are — letting God use people around you to refine, encourage, and shape your identity.

Reflection Question:
Who in your life sharpens you — encouraging you, challenging you, and helping you become your best self in Christ? How can you lean into that relationship more deeply?

Prayer:
Lord, thank You for the people You’ve placed in my life to sharpen me. Give me the courage to let others speak truth into my life, even when it’s uncomfortable. Help me also be the kind of friend who encourages, strengthens, and sharpens others in love.