The Hard Work of Lifelong Friendships

Christine Hoover delivered a message at TGC's 2021 Women’s Conference titled “Messy Beautiful Friendship: Learning to Love Others in a Christlike Way.” Speaking from her own experiences building friendships—first as a child, then as an adult—Hoover discussed the “wish dream”: the idealized vision of a perfect friendship that too many women embrace. She compared this to the reality of mature, biblical friendship that, despite all its flaws and blemishes, is a priceless gift from God.

She looked at four components of biblical friendships, exemplified by Christ, that women should pursue:

– Focus on giving (serving) and befriending others

– Erase unnecessary restrictions

– Devote yourself to people

– Be vulnerable