​Friendship: it's all about how and when.

Scripture:
"And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God.'" 1 Sam. 23:16.
'The men said, “This is the day the Lord spoke of when he said to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.’ ” Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe....He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord ’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord .” ' 1 Samuel 24:4,6

Application:
Friendship is not standing beside someone and doing what they want you to do. Nor is it guiding them to do what you believe is right. Friendship is helping someone get in touch with the Lord and seeking God's direction. God's direction may seem to be acting contrary to what seems right. But God is moving around more things than we know. The timing we desire may be wrong. The immediate consequences of our actions may disrupt a larger, better plan.
Jonathan, prince of Israel, seemed sensitive to this. He didn't tell David what to do. Rather, he reassured David that following the Lord's instruction was the right thing to do.
Contrast his assistance with the advice of the warriors at David's side. They were convinced that King Saul's appearance was providential and David should act right then and bring Israel under his leadership. They actually were right, in that eventually, that would be the proper course of action. But the warriors were wrong as to how and when this would come about.
As a friend, the first thing to do is to pray for God's direction for yourself. Then go to your friend and pray with them for God's guidance. The instruction He gives will confirm or redirect, but always will be better than our own, no matter how well-intentioned.

Prayer:
Father, direct us not only on how to act for ourselves, but how we may encourage others to act. Amen.