Day 16 — Better Together

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up!”

— Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 (BSB)

Picture a guy rock climbing alone. He slips, falls and lands on a ledge with a hurt ankle. There’s no one to help him. No one to call for help. He’s stuck.

Now picture two guys climbing together, roped to each other. When one slips, the other holds the rope. When one gets hurt, the other helps him down.

Solomon says, “Two are better than one.” “If one falls down, his companion can lift him up.”

This is especially true when it comes to temptation. Fighting temptation alone is really hard. It’s much easier with a friend.

That’s called accountability. It means having someone who knows what you’re struggling with, who checks in on you, who encourages you and who helps you get back up when you fall.

An accountability friend might:

• Ask you, “How are you doing with that thing we talked about?”
• Pray for you and with you.
• Tell you honestly when you’re heading the wrong way.
• Help you avoid situations where you’d be tempted.
• Celebrate with you when you do the right thing.
• Remind you that God forgives, when you fall.

Who could be that person for you? It could be your dad or another trusted adult: a grandpa, an uncle, a youth leader or a pastor. It could also be a Christian friend your age. For the hardest struggles, it’s especially good to have a trusted grown-up in your corner.

Having accountability takes humility. You have to be honest about your struggles. Many guys don’t want to admit they’re struggling. They want to look like they’ve got it all together. But the guys who get help are the ones who grow stronger.

A few verses later, Solomon says, “a cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12). Two friends who both rely on God are like a rope with three strands: you, your friend and God. That’s hard to break.

Think about it: Who is someone who could be an accountability partner for you? What would make it hard to be honest with him?

Try this: Talk to your dad, a trusted adult or a Christian friend about one thing you want to grow in. Ask him to check in with you about it.

Dear God, thank You that two are better than one. Please give me a friend or a trusted adult who can help me fight temptation and grow. Help me be humble and honest. And help me be that kind of friend for someone else. In Jesus’ name, Amen.