Tuesday, July 20​

There are companions ready to crush one another,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

—Prov. 18:24.
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We may find it difficult to open up to others because someone might have hurt us in the past. (Prov. 18:19) Or we may feel that we lack the time and energy to cultivate close relationships. However, we should not give up. If we want our brothers to stand by us when trials come, we must learn to trust them now with our thoughts and feelings. That is an important step toward becoming true friends. (1 Pet. 1:22)

Jesus showed that he trusted his friends by communicating openly with them. (John 15:15) We can imitate him by sharing our joys, concerns, and disappointments with others. Listen carefully as someone talks to you, and you may learn that you have many thoughts, feelings, and goals in common. If you take the initiative to have warm and open conversations with others, your friendships with them are likely to grow.

—Prov. 27:9.

w19.11 4 ¶8-9​