By Heather Frank

Your top five closest friends shape your life for a kingdom impact. I remember a study that concluded we can emotionally connect on a deeper level with up to five people. On average, our close friendships can fluctuate between five to fifteen people. However the deepest “soul-ties” are bonded with five. I have five ways your top five closest friends shape your life for a kingdom impact.

Establish Your Circle, Shape Your Life for Kingdom Impact

I wasn’t always the type of person who cherished girlfriends. I grew up playing a variety of sports that local girls didn’t prefer, like basketball or karate, so I found myself hanging with the guys. Through a series of unfortunate situations, the girls I found myself around chose to bully me instead of befriend me.

Fortunately, the bitterness towards my own gender melted away. God restored my heart to make room for authentic friendships. It wasn’t until I entered college I developed a sisterhood. It was a beautiful picture of grace-based friendship, revealing to me the epitome of what friendships were supposed to look like.

As time continued and we naturally departed, I kept in touch with these women. By God’s grace he led me to a new group of women whom we like to call the “fab five.” We do life together, vent and hash out the grit that comes our way with prayer and Chick-Fil-A. 

What Your Five Bring to the Table
 

Through the highs and lows of friendship-building I’ve learned that whoever I develop a soul-tie to impacts my world for the greater cause of kingdom-building. Here are five ways I’ve found my five shape my impact:

1. They act as moral buffers. God’s Word reveals to me what is right and what is wrong. However, I fall short in making wise decisions sometimes. Having the right (and Jesus-filled) women in my circle guides me in the decision-making process that brings me good and not harm.
   
2. My five support my marriage. When I go through the lows in my marriage, all 5 of them bring the mirror up for a little self-reflection and kindly remind me I can’t {just} quit. Unless there is the biblical ground for divorce, they pray for our unity and purity.
   
3. My five counter my inner critic. The enemy does a pretty decent job at fueling my intrusive thoughts. When I find myself overwhelmed with imposter syndrome, one quick text to my “fab five” fills my mind with scripture and spiritual wisdom. They fill my cup often the way God intends us to fuel each other: with prayer, scripture and affirmation.
   
4. Biggest supporters? Yes please. So often I find myself in a situation that pushes me way out of my comfort zone. You can find my ladies cheering me on front row and center, every time. They are the first ones to purchase a product I created, bring a meal when we are sick and mention my name in a room full of opportunity.
   
5. They join me in the fight. I need authentic prayer warriors to join me in the hard spaces, such as my husband and Jesus-loving women. Without hesitation, they stop what they are doing when I need them and pray for the urgent request. My girls go to God on my behalf as I do for them, and that my friend changes everything. They put this verse into action: “So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (The Message)

Heavenly friendships offer simple joys, purpose and profit. It encourages one another with the mindset to build a kingdom. Do not neglect such a “here as in heaven” gift we are granted in this lifetime.

Wife Step: Can you picture up to five ladies in your life that would fit these qualities? If you can, make it known to them the impact they have on your life. If you cannot, pray to God to bring women who love him into your life.

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