Today’s Topic: Friendship 101
There’s a difference between being alone and loneliness. Sometimes I love being alone. I enjoy my space and independence. Just because I am alone doesn’t mean that I am lonely.
However, loneliness is another feeling that causes people to feel empty, alone, and unwanted. People who are lonely often crave human company. They hate being alone.
Friendship is God’s gift to us. Without friends, life is a boring and lonely road to walk. But not all friendships are worth our time. At some point in life, you will have to be honest with yourself, look at your friendships, and decide whether to keep them or let them go.
Thankfully, the Bible offers awareness on the topic:
Proverbs 17:17 “A friend loveth at all times.”
Philippians 2:2-4 “Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.”
Proverbs 16:28 “Troublemakers start fights; gossips break up friendships.”
Proverbs 27:6 “Trustworthy are the bruises of a friend; excessive are the kisses of an enemy.”
Proverbs 12:26 “Good people are careful about choosing their friends, but evil people always choose the wrong ones.”
1 Corinthians 15:33 “Don’t be fooled: “Bad friends will ruin good habits.”
Job 42:10 “Job prayed for his friends, and the Lord made Job successful again. The Lord gave him twice as much as he had before.”
When you have found good friends:
Rule #1 Practice self-control. Self control is the ability to control oneself, emotions, and feelings.
Rule #2 Mutual Respect. Mutual respect is when two people may not agree on everything, but they don’t get upset. They will work things out to the best interest of all.
Rule #3 Don’t live with ongoing drama. It’s draining and no one wants to be around ‘high maintenance’ and needy friends.
Friendship is not guaranteed. It takes love, respect, trust, understanding, friendship, and faith to make it last.
Two Quotes:
“Respect yourself to walk away from anyone or anything that no longer serve you, grows you, or makes you happy.”
“Three things in life that once lost are hard to build up are, friends, respect, and trust.
When life gets you down, count your blessings and not your troubles. When you count your blessings, you will realize that you are actually doing just fine.
The reality is that there will be difficult times, but God promises to be our place of safety.
PRAYER TIME: Father, thank you that we are never alone. Though sorrows befall us, and Satan oppose, you lead your dear children along. In Jesus Name, Amen
Amazing Grace 