Dear Christian Mentor, Can you walk with me through Lent? (Day 23)
Refining Relationships
"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” ~ Proverbs 27:17
Dear Christian Mentor,
I have participated in Lent many times, but it often feels like something I should do rather than an experience that draws me closer to the Lord. Can you walk with me through the season of Lent?
Throughout our lives, we will have relationships that are with us for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. God often uses people in our lives to shape us, challenge us, encourage us, and draw us closer to Him.
Just as iron sharpens iron, healthy relationships help refine our character and strengthen our faith. Sometimes that sharpening feels encouraging, like a friend reminding us of God’s promises when we are weary. Other times, it can feel challenging when someone lovingly points out an area we need to grow in.
Both are gifts.
God never intended for us to walk the journey of faith alone. He places people in our lives who help us grow, pray with us, speak truth when we lose perspective, and remind us of who we are in Christ. Likewise, He invites us to be that encouragement for others.
However, not all relationships sharpen us in a healthy way. Some relationships can pull us away from God, drain our emotional and spiritual strength, or influence us toward attitudes and behaviors that do not reflect Christ. Scripture reminds us in 1 Corinthians 15:33 that “bad company corrupts good character.” The people we surround ourselves with can deeply affect our thoughts, our choices, and even our faith.
This does not mean we avoid people who are struggling or imperfect—we all are. But it does mean we should prayerfully evaluate the influence our relationships have on our lives.
During this season of Lent, consider the people God has placed in your life. Who encourages your faith? Who challenges you to grow? And how might God be calling you to sharpen someone else in love and truth?
When we open our lives to godly relationships, the Lord uses them to refine, strengthen, and draw us closer to Him.
Today’s Promise:
God uses relationships to grow and strengthen our faith. When we walk in community with other believers, He refines our hearts, encourages our spirits, and helps us become more like Christ.
Application:
Take time today to reflect on the relationships in your life.
Who has helped strengthen your faith?
Are there relationships that consistently pull me away from God or leave me feeling spiritually drained?
Is there someone God may be prompting you to encourage, pray for, or support?
Today’s Fast:
Fast from isolation. Instead of withdrawing into your own thoughts or struggles, choose connection. Reach out to someone in your life and invite them to offer encouragement, prayer, or honest conversation.
~ Christian Mentor
