Friends.

Hey y’all! It’s your girl Julie, back with another segment of “Salty & Lit,” and in today’s post, we’re going to be talking about friendship. Let’s pray.

A friend loves at all times,
    and a brother is born for adversity (Proverbs 17:17).

“Father, that’s what Your Word says. Help us to understand that friends love, even when it hurts. Help us to understand Your heart in this season. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

“A friend loves at all times…” It’s a phrase that I’ve heard many years, but there’s an emphasis that I want to focus on today - love.

What does it mean to love? Defined by Bible Hub (2026), love in this context means “to have affection for” (“157. aheb.). Merriam-Webster (2026) defines affection as a sentiment toward someone or something.

While reading this, I realized love is not defined as always being peaches and cream; rather, it’s the willingness to go through the “dirty” stuff with you. Love for me looks like a friend giving me a harsh truth, even if it doesn’t make me feel comfortable because love cares about the person who I’m becoming.

We may have misunderstandings about what love actually is, but looking at 1 Corinthians 13 can help us know what love can look like in our day to day.

Let’s start with the beginning. “Love is patient and kind.” (1 Corinthians 13:4a). What does it mean to be patient, and what does it mean to be kind?

Merriam-Webster (2026) defines “patient” as “acting with calm or restraint under provocation or strain,” while “kind” is “of a forbearing nature : gentle.” That means a friend can act with calm in the midst of a struggle.

What does that mean? CHECK YOUR HEART

How are you acting when things don’t go your way? Are you calm? Are you telling your friend kindly what’s up, or are you hard in your speaking?

Friend, it’s time to be mindful of how we love our friends, but next time, we’re going to define a friend.

Let’s pray.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for being Sovereign and kind. Thank You for the gift of friendship. Help us to listen to friends when they tell us the truth. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

That’s all I have for today! Don’t forget these three things: you are loved, salty, and lit! Talk to you soon! 🧡

Works Cited

“157. aheb.” Bible Hub, biblehub.com/hebrew/157.htm. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

"kind." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, 2011.

Web. 8 May 2011.

"patient." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, 2011.

Web. 8 May 2011.