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Janaury 8, 2026<\/span><\/p>\n 3 Ways To Find Life-Giving Friendships This Year<\/strong><\/span> Lee en espa\u00f1ol<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAnd let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works \u2026\u201d Hebrews 10:24 (ESV)\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Tears quietly slipped down my cheeks as I looked ahead at what my day would hold as a new mom: a crying baby, a messy house, and an overwhelming feeling of dread.<\/p>\n How could this be? I finally had everything I ever thought would make me fulfilled, significant, and satisfied \u2014 yet I was more miserable and lonely than I\u2019d ever been. As I finally realized a family and a comfortable house with a flower bed planted out front wasn’t the answer to ultimate happiness, it rattled my soul to the core.<\/p>\n There are deep places within our souls that God hand-designed and reserved for only Him to fill.<\/p>\n But my whole life had been focused on getting these other things I thought would fill me up. So when they fell short, I slid to the ground and cried, God, I can\u2019t do this. Where do I go from here? How do I find You? Help me!<\/em><\/p>\n A few weeks later, an invitation from a new friend came my way. I glanced down at my spit-covered sweatpants, ran my hands through my greasy hair, and willed my mind to override the desire to pass on meeting her that day.<\/p>\n I couldn\u2019t handle the relationships I already had in my life \u2014 I certainly couldn\u2019t make time for more. Plus, if I got too close to women who appeared to have their lives together, surely they\u2019d judge me for the pitiful way mine was falling apart. I just didn\u2019t have the white space for anything but my family.<\/p>\n But that was exactly the problem. I was giving everything I had to my family with nothing to fill me back up, no one to encourage me through the hard spots, and no one to share practical advice because she\u2019d been there and done that.<\/p>\n So I crammed my diaper bag full and headed out the door.<\/p>\n Over the years, I\u2019ve thought about that pivotal decision to embrace the necessity of friendships. Not only have they helped me personally, but my friendships have been crucial to my success (and sometimes survival) in all the roles I play. They\u2019ve made Hebrews 10:24 come to life: \u201cAnd let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works \u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n I\u2019m grateful for the women who have done this for me while also showing me how to encourage others. What I once thought would take away from my family has added richness I couldn\u2019t have gotten any other way.<\/p>\n If you can relate to the season I was in, here are three practical ways to find life-giving friendships this year:<\/p>\n Why not spend some time today praying for the friends you have and the friends you\u2019ve yet to meet? God loves to answer those friendship prayers! And trust me on this \u2014 go ahead and wash your hair, just in case you get a call like I did all those years ago.<\/p>\n Dear Lord, You know the relationships I need in this season of my life. So I\u2019m praying today for the friends I have right now and ones I have yet to meet. Help me to be a God-honoring friend who always points others back to You. In Jesus\u2019 Name, Amen.<\/em><\/p>\n When life feels uncertain, it\u2019s easy to question where God is working. But as Lysa reminds us in today\u2019s devotion, even when we can\u2019t see it, God\u2019s Word steadies our hearts and shows us He\u2019s still faithful. That\u2019s exactly what you\u2019ll discover through 40 Days Through the New Testament: Knowing the Savior Who Steadies Our Uncertainty.<\/em> Each day helps you draw closer to Jesus and find peace in the promises that never change. When you give to Proverbs 31 Ministries<\/strong>, you help more women experience that same hope through daily teachings, podcasts, and studies that meet them right where they are. As our thank-you for your generosity, we\u2019ll send you 40 Days Through the New Testament<\/em> to strengthen your own walk with God. Give today to help another woman discover the steadying Truth of Scripture \u2014 and receive your study as thanks.<\/strong><\/p>\n We\u2019ve all experienced the heartbreak of a relationship or friendship that didn\u2019t go the distance. Maybe a friend didn\u2019t show up for you during a difficult season. Or an unresolved disagreement led to resentment and distance. Whether you\u2019re ready to give new friendships a try or you\u2019re still processing the fallout, there is space for you to move forward in the pages of Lysa TerKeurst\u2019s book I Want to Trust You, but I Don’t<\/em>. You can get your copy here.<\/p>\n Find everyday encouragement when you connect with Lysa TerKeurst here on Instagram.<\/p>\n 1 Thessalonians 5:11, \u201cTherefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing\u201d (NIV).<\/p>\n Which of the three ideas from today’s devotion could you try to implement this week as you seek out godly friendships? We\u2019d love to hear from you in the comments.<\/p>\n \u00a9 2026 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n Proverbs 31 Ministries
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