Faithful Friday

 

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This week I am going to Share about a huge blessing in my life, my dear friends! Without some special friends, I don’t know where I would be today.  And scripture tells us lots about our friends. Sometimes we are just way to hard headed to listen.

 

My all time favorite Scripture is Proverbs 17:17 “A Friend Loves at all times.”  You would think this is simple, but to many it is not. Sometimes as friends, we often don’t agree with what our friend may be doing, so we forget to show them we still love them, yet scripture says we love at all times. So why must we let society stand in our way, and start to doubt and judge about loving through it all? I love my friends through the good and bad, the pretty and the ugly. It’s not that I agree with them always, but it is that I do love them. And I remind them, just as I remind my kids, I love you, but I don’t have to like what you are doing. I learned this from my dear Momma. So I challenge you to try a bit harder, and love your friends all the time, no matter what.

 

Sometimes we get our feelings hurt and such, but even after our friend ask for forgiveness, often we don’t let go, so what happens is we add strife and conflict to the friendship, by dwelling on whatever it was that happened. But not only are we not forgiving then, but we are going against God’s word, and tearing apart a friendship. Scripture says in Proverbs 17:9 “He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love, but he who repeats or harps on a matter separates even close friends.” 

 

Sometimes, we need a friend to be there to listen and lend Biblical advice. And when you find this friend, you know you are truly blessed and have a real friend.  In Proverbs 27:9 “Oil and perfume rejoice the heart; so does the sweetness of a friend’s counsel that comes from the heart”. So it’s true, we need this. It’s in God’s word telling us that that friend is sweetness to our heart. I sure hope to be that friend to all my friends. I hope to be the best possible friend I can be to them, and be there to support and counsel them, whenever they should need.

 

I’ve had some really hard times and some times that some stood with me and some that have not, as well as many that have judged me… This only pushing me further from ok. Even it is stated in Proverbs 18:24 “Friends can destroy one another, but a loving friend can stick closer than family.” Oh how this is true.. I have learned this through the trials of late. I have had some friends hold me back and hurt me more, and then I have been very blessed and had some stick closer than family. I am forever grateful for these who have stood by and continued to show love in the the hard times. And in this I am not talking about a friend trying to provide criticism and help, as that is what we are commanded to do. This is done nicely and openly with love. You are trying to offer counsel and express your feelings. This is not judging nor being hateful and rude. Proverbs 27 5:6 “Open criticism is better than unexpressed love. Wounds made by a friends are intended to help, but an enemy’s kisses are too much to bear.”  … Now this isn’t saying we can go be rude… But if you need to tell a friend that you are hurt, or that the Bible says something, or tell them something God has laid on your heart, even though they may not want to hear it, it doesn’t mean it’s wrong. We just have to make sure we are doing it in love and not ugliness.

 

When you have a true friend, it’s a very sincere and rewarding blessing!  And the best way to have this friend, is to be that friend.  In John 15:12-13 “Love each other as I have loved you. This is what I’m commanding you to do. The greatest love you can show is to give your life for your friends.” … God is calling us to be this friend….

 

I hate to say in today’s world many friendships are born and grow out of greed and what they can get from the other. Even in support, it’s not about being the friend. And this only hurts the other person and the friendship. I encourage everyone to think and reflect on their friendships, and be all God has called us to be. We are his daughters, and the world and our friends should see him through our friendship.

 

I am not saying I am perfect. Nor pointing the finger at only one, but this is something that God has laid on my heart to share. Lots of people need to remember friendship are a gift from God and should be treated as such.

 

Thank you to my most awesome and wonderful friends! I am so thankful for yall and love you!

 

Hugs and Blessings,