We all have different types of friends. The crazy ones, the childhood friends, the ones who make you laugh until you cry, the sarcastics, the ones who are more like your parents - the list goes on and on. There are friends that come and go, and friends who we cherish for years. Throughout the different types, one thing is for sure: friends make or break you.

The people you choose to make your closest are the ones you do life with. Every good and bad time, they’re the people who are by your side. When life gets you down, you expect your close friends to be there to provide a helpful hand or encouraging word. In the same way, when you experience a happy time in your life you look to your friends to celebrate in it with you.

But what if they don't? What if the friends you have aren't always there for you or uplifting when you need them to be? Often times, when we surround ourselves with the wrong people, we can find ourselves feeling disappointed. Things we would do for them are not often reciprocated back. And while we love our friends and treat them kindly with love without expecting anything in return, we expect for them to care about us to the same degree.

"One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." (Proverbs 18:24)

When we really dissect our friendships and look at how each one is either growing us or bringing us down, we realize it's okay to remove the negative relationships from our lives. This doesn't mean we stop caring for these friends or turn away completely, but if they are not adding value to our lives or us to them, then that relationship has no true connection or foundation. Friends are a gift and should be treated like it.

For the friendships that are life-giving and accomplish the task of bettering two people, celebrate! This is a true friendship that's rare to come by and a blessing to have. A true friend will always have your back and encourage you in positive ways. They will celebrate you and make you feel always loved, always cared for, and always empowered.

“Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future”