There are few relationships more rewarding than a solid friendship. A good friendship can last a lifetime, regardless of distance and various life events that happen for each person. The passage in First Corinthians 13 is often used as a text for weddings, as it outlines the different aspects of real love. These characteristics are not just features of romantic love, however, but can be applied to friendship as well. 

Love Is Patient and Kind

Your friends are the people who are meant to be in your corner. When you have a bad day at work or a fight with your significant other, you may have personal coping mechanisms to relieve the subsequent stress. Few solitary activities have quite the impact that being heard by someone who understands does, though. A short phone call or text exchange with a good friend who responds with kindness and concern even when you are not at your best can ease your worries.

Love Does Not Seek Power Over the Other

People whom you respect often have an influence on your life. It's important not to let this power get out of control, though. Once consensual influence turns into control, it can manifest in several different ways:

• Envy
• Bragging
• Manipulation
• Guilt-tripping
• One-upmanship

Friendship, however, is not a competition. When you have good news, a true friend's first response is to celebrate with you rather than feel bad that you have something he or she doesn't. Seek out friendships where you don't feel as if you are always in a power struggle.

Love Values Forgiveness

No relationship is perfect, because people are imperfect. Everyone has disagreements and misunderstandings. As a result, there is the possibility that even very good friends will hurt one another. One test of friendship is how problems are resolved.

Forgiveness is not always easy, but the desire to forgive and be forgiven should at least be present when friends fight. As the person wronged, do you want to hold on to your anger, or do you remind yourself of how much the other person means to you? When you need forgiveness, do you avoid the other person or actively seek ways to make amends? The answers to these questions can tell you a lot about the depth of your relationship.

Love Supports Growth

While you certainly don't want friends who try to control you or tell you what to do, a good friend will want what is in your best interest. This includes your personal growth. Friends help you set goals and support you as you achieve them. Even if they participate in a little procrastination with you so that you get the rest you need, they can also help you stay accountable to the person you want to become.

Love Believes the Best

Ideally, you choose your friends because you like who they are. It makes sense, therefore, to trust their intentions as well. This kind of trust may be difficult if you have been hurt in the past, after you have had a fight or when you are in a bad mood, but hopefully, any doubt is short-lived. Good friends make a habit of assigning the best possible meaning to each other's words and actions. 

Love Can Survive Challenges

Just like other lasting loves, strong friendships based on mutual respect and care can survive the challenges of life. Superficial relationships that lack a solid foundation may not weather hardships such as grief, long-distance communication, extreme differences of opinion or financial strife. When something difficult happens, it's vital to confirm your commitment to and love for your friends.

Passages about love are often applied to romantic partnerships, but love has many forms. Lifelong friendships provide many of the same benefits as other lasting relationships.