This is an article I wrote for The YA Sisterhood (The Keep's [Young Adult Ministry] newsletter for women:
Girlfriends
In today's society it is not uncommon for a woman to have a close circle of friends that she calls her "girlfriends". Girlfriends are friends that can, in most cases, also be described as best friends. Many of us have several groups of girlfriends for school, work, church, and old friends. The girlfriends I would like to talk about are the church girlfriends.
Have you ever heard the _expression "Everything happens for a reason."? It is so very true! God places people in and around us all the time at just the precise moment that we need them there. Church girlfriends should not be regarded as just another group of girls that you visit with maybe twice a week, but as sisters and accountability partners in Christ.
Exodus 33:11 says, "...the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend." God speaks to us face to face just like we would to our girlfriends. If you are trying to hold someone accountable for backsliding (or not portraying a positive reflection of a Christ-like lifestyle) by all means speak to that particular person face to face! Proverbs 16:28 says, "...gossip separates the best of friends." Girlfriends portrayed on television are often seen gossiping about one another and it is dismissed as a conversation, but Proverbs 18:21 says, "Those who love to talk will experience the consequences, for the tongue can kill or nourish life." The ability to use and control our tongue leaves us with the decision to bless or curse our girlfriends...I choose blessings.
In Proverbs 18:24 it says, "There are 'friends' who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother." I have always thought of my girlfriends from church as sisters more than friends because we share a special bond that is Christ Jesus. Having friends that are saved too is very beneficial spiritually and emotionally speaking. I know that when I have a problem that I go to the girlfriend that may have some common knowledge about that situation, but what if it is a spiritual problem or concern? Knowing that you have a group of friends that are battling spiritually just as much are you are can be comforting in our darkest times. God provides these exceptional people in our lives to be the physical manifestation of all patience, kindness, wisdom, strength and so forth that we search for. The Lord is great at knowing and providing everything we need when we want a little bit of reassurance.
John 15:13 says, "And here is how to measure it-the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends." Laying down your life does not have to mean dying for someone. It could very well mean stopping what you are doing and smiling or giving an encouraging word. You could lay down your life for a friend by simply listening to what they have to say and allowing them to confide in you. When you do such things for people you should expect to have the same done for you when you need it. It's the golden rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
Girlfriends are a wonderful gift from God that we should cherish as such! Do not hesitate to seek advice or prayer from a girlfriend at church because as a sister in Christ it is always encouraged. If you do not have a group of girlfriends at church I encourage you to befriend some fellow peers and begin building a friendship that always seems to last longer with God as the foundation. | 
