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

Some of the company you keep is the cause of your adversity. That is to say, just as Charlie Brown’s friend Pig Pen was always surrounded by a cloud of dust, you may have already discovered that there are certain people in your life who always bring you trouble. These should be avoided.

However, on the other hand, there is nothing better than having a buddy as you go through adversity. It is not merely that misery loves company. It is simply that adversity is made lighter when it is faced with compatible and constructive company. “And if one prevails against him, two shall withstand him, and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.’ (Ecclesiastes 4: 12)

The pearl from Proverbs 17: 17 puts it right when it says that a real friend loves at all times, including when you are facing adversity. A brother is born for adversity. That is to say, it is during the time of adversity that you realize what a brother is for and who your brother really is.

Let us not pray that we have friends so that we can drag them through trouble with us. Instead, let us pray that God might raise up true friends who will partner with us in prosperity and stand with us in adversity. If all else fails, you do have a friend who sticks closer than a brother and who will go with you even through the valley of the shadow of death. His name is Jesus.