I love how the Message translation puts the value of friends right next to the preciousness of family. In truth, great friends are LIKE family, sticking together no matter what trouble shows up.

Another translation of Proverb 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” The tragedy so many people experience is that if they haven’t built a circle, when adversity strikes, they have no “brother” to stand with them in it. Circles are support, and we desperately need them.

Reflect on the times in your life when your community has surrounded you with support and strength. Consider how God uses relationships to comfort us in times of pain and challenge. Whether it’s through prayer, encouragement, or practical help, our circles of friendship and family play a crucial role in sustaining us.

God designed us for community because He knows that together, we can bear each other’s burdens and multiply our joys. Our relationships in community sharpen and strengthen us. So, cherish and invest in your circles of support today, knowing that God works through them to bring comfort and strength.