5 Tips on How to Rekindle a Friendship

As we go through different stages of life—entering college, changing jobs, or just growing busy from changing responsibilities—we sometimes lose touch with old friends. Though it is normal for friendships to change with time, we don’t have to give up on a relationship simply because we are in a different stage of life.

Is there a friend you’ve been meaning to check up on? Someone you have been thinking about for a while now but haven’t talked to recently?

As you think about reconnecting with these friends, here are a few tips on how to rekindling a friendship:

 

1. Bring it to God first

Before we send out that text or dial a call, we can take a moment to pray for our friends. After all, God knows and loves our friends more than we ever can. He knows their needs just as He knows ours (Matthew 6:8). It makes sense to check in with Him and ask how He would guide this relationship we’re seeking to rekindle.

Since we are told to bring all our requests before God (Philippians 4:6), let us ask God for wisdom and love as we reach out. Let us pray for God to open our eyes to any needs we don’t know of yet, and ways we can encourage. Let us entrust our plans and relationships to our faithful God.

 

2. Step out in action

After praying for our friends and our relationships with them, it’s time to reach out. After all, what is our love worth if we take no action (1 John 3:18)? We can start by texting or calling—a quick “how have you been lately?” can start some good conversations—but if possible, try to meet up.

It’s amazing how inviting someone over for dinner or coffee encourages them to open up. But if that’s difficult, we could also invite the friend to some event or place we would both enjoy. Maybe a park, a concert, or local bookstore?

If the friend lives further away, consider sending a handwritten card or note letting them know we’re thinking of them.

 

3. Practice intentional conversation

Once we’ve reconnected with our friends, let’s practice our listening skills. Whether it is over a cup of coffee or through text conversations, let us ask open-ended questions and hear how our friends are doing.

What have they been focusing on lately (school, work, family or relationships. . .)? What are some ways in which they have grown or matured? What are some things they are anxious about or struggling with?

Not everyone will spill their heart out in the first few conversations. But if we continue praying over the relationship, being slow to speak but eager to listen (James 1:19), God will show us how best to love our friends.

 

4. Do it all for building up

As we interact with our old friends, let us be intentional in what we say, doing our best to encourage and to build up (1 Thessalonians 5:11). If in our careful listening, we learn that there is something to celebrate in their life, let us not be shy in affirming it! If, on the other hand, our friend is going through a difficult time, let us comfort and encourage.

And for Christian and non-Christian friends alike, let’s remember that there is nothing more uplifting than the gospel truth the Bible presents to us: that God created us, loves us, gave His own life to redeem us, and walks with us even through the hardest times. As we rebuild old friendships, let us remind each other of these foundational truths.

 

5. Keep being a friend always

Finally, don’t let this be a one-time catch up. Just as Paul faithfully remembered and prayed for his friends (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3), let us also be faithful in loving our friend even as we’re apart. We can follow up with a text letting our friends know how great it was seeing them again. We can check in every so often to see how they are doing. We can schedule our next get-together. And most importantly, we can continue faithfully praying for our friends.

 

God has blessed us with different friends throughout our lives. As we grow and walk our different paths, let’s continue to check in with one another, and praise God for the ways He is working. As we reach out to our friends, listen, and encourage them, may we, too, find encouragement through the gift of rekindled friendship.

We hope our tips helped you learn ways on how to rekindle a friendship.

2 replies
  1. Alexa Storms
    Alexa Storms says:

    This is perfect timing! I just met up with a friend today who I haven’t seen since high school (seven years ago)! We met up for coffee in the afternoon and I thought we were just going to chat for a few hours. We ended up chatting until the coffee shop was about to close! It was awesome being able to reconnect and talk about how God was working in both of our lives. It was also encouraging to see how some things don’t change, no matter how many years have passed.

    Reply
  2. Anj O
    Anj O says:

    Thank you for this article. I’ve been thinking about a friend I had whom I haven’t spoken with for years. Like what you said in the article, We entered a different stage in life (I started my own family) and she with carried on with her career. Eventually our friendship just slowly slipped away, and I felt kind of hurt too because she became hard to reach out to as she became busier with her own things. I think I am more hurt seeing her post pictures with her other friends, that she spends time with them while I needed a friend to talk about my struggles as a new mom. At one point I just stopped reaching out to her and even “unfriended” her on social media. She didn’t reach out to me too. I was more hurt by that but with God’s help I was able to forgive her in my heart.

    Lately I’ve been thinking about her a lot, but just kept her in my prayers and wished her well. The thought of rekindling my friendship with her makes me happy me but at the same time, I’m very anxious about it too. You’re right, the first thing to do is consult God. I am not sure if it will be a good decision to rekindle. I guess I am also worried about rejection. Indeed this is something that needs wisdom from God.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *