Sometimes it may seem like it would be easier to just not try to have friends, even if it means not being a part of a local church. You might even feel that way toward having a family or being in a marriage. “Why go through all of the hurt and sacrifice that it takes to love?” You could say that and you could even take that approach to life; try to keep from being hurt again by just shutting people out of your life.
But, consider for a moment this question: What if Jesus decided to take the easy road and forego love for the sake of not being hurt or betrayed or denied or forsaken? Where would we be today if Jesus had not been willing to be our friend? You have that opportunity to be a friend to others, to love them sacrificially and unconditionally — like Jesus loves.
You need a friend, and what a Friend you have in Jesus. He loves you with an everlasting love. He loves you through the hurt and the tears. He loves you through the anger and pain. He loves you. Everyone needs a friend like that! Be a friend like that, a friend like Jesus!