"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens [and influences] another [through discussion]." Proverbs 27:17

I sulked. My husband had done something that rubbed me wrong, and I was feeling offended and hurt. I vented to my bestie, who was also present. Instead of egging on my airing out of complaints, though, she gently said, "Sarah, I really don't think he intended to offend you. I honestly don't think he meant to hurt your feelings."

I furrowed my brow and protested in my heart. You know what, though, she was right. Most importantly, she was my iron. Her bold and honest push back was what I needed to help me find my way back to a more holy, forgiving, softer view of my husband's response. Proverbs 27:17 is one of my favorite verses. It stirs me. Having a group of like-minded women is essential to support, yes. To stay sharp, though, we need people in our lives who see through the lens of integrity and also have the courage to keep us in right thinking and action. Our "iron friends" spur us on to righteousness and help draw us near to God. They both encourage and rebuke us. They love us and occasionally love us tough. As you inventory your tribe, do you have iron friends? Are you one to others? Today, I encourage you to surround yourself with those who influence you well, and I encourage you to be a force for goodness, bold holiness, and gospel perspective in someone else's life today. May it be said of you, "You are my iron!"