After attending church service, I went biking with two of my church friends. It's been a while since I last used my folding bike so I am a bit careful with my pacing because I don't want to exhaust my energy too much. Glad that my friends are considerate with my pace.
My two friends are my bike buddies for I guess more than a decade now. We've shared a lot of meals, laughter, and tears. I can say they are my covenant friends.
When we say covenant, it often refers to a solemn oath or formal agreement. So a covenant friend is not just a friend whom you like; it goes more than that. If you are familiar with the Biblical story of David and Jonathan, that's a perfect picture. It is a kind of friendship that sticks closer than a brother.
Why do we need to have a covenant friendship? Let me share a few reasons:
Life is rough, you need someone to get through
Life is full of twists and turns. Sometimes our burdens get heavier and we cannot carry things on our own, no matter how hard we try. We cannot always fake it. We need extra muscle to bear the weight. There's a saying that when a problem is shared, it gets halved; when dealt with alone, it feels double. When you have covenant friends who will stay with you through thick and thin, you know that whatever life throws at you, you have someone to back you up.
It's miserable to live life in isolation
I believe that a person who has no friends is miserable. We should have at least one person with whom we can share our stories and secrets. Those who choose to live life solo often feel depressed because their lives revolve around their little world. While those with friends can laugh their way around their issues. The problem may remain the same but their mindset and motivation are different. They are more positive because they have friends who cheer them up!
Friends help us mature in many ways
Journeying life with friends matures us because of the differences that surface as we interact with them. We grow through the storms and not during the calm. Our rough edges clash with their rough edges. Covenant friendship is not just about enjoying the good times, but also about accepting one another despite the differences. This is the good thing about covenant friendship - no matter the weather, the relationship stays, and is forged.
We need guidance and rebuke from time to time
Some people are not comfortable rebuking their friends because they fear that they might receive a cold treatment or the friendship will be affected. But in covenant friendship, maturity matters more. Rebuke is needed because it is an act of love. You don't want your friend to suffer the consequences of his wrongdoings, so as early as you can, you point things out to help the person, not to humiliate him. Superficial friendship is silent and tolerates. Covenant friendship loves and rebukes.
Final Thoughts
Do you have a covenant friend? I have written a similar article about accountability partners before, but I'd like to emphasize that it doesn't matter how we call our friends, what matters is our relationship with them. Accountability partners are usually formed within the same interest, but covenant friendships go beyond regular meetups. It is a life-to-life relationship that sticks more than a brother.
Read my other BCH-related blogs:
Bitcoin Cash Changed not only my Routine but also my Perspective
Installing BCH Payment Channel on my Blog (and eStore) A Success!
Hi, I am Marts! I am a writer, and aside from my stint here in read.cash, I also have my blog - martsvalenzuela.com. I appreciate it if you visit me! I plan on growing my readership as I learn to improve my craft and journey towards my passion to write and publish books that add value to people.
Let's rock!
I'll honestly say, I don't have any covenant friend, and I don't know someone treats me like one too, but I have a lot of friend tho.😊