Real Friends
Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. (Proverbs 27:6)
If our world becomes unstable, we need the kind of friendship that is found in stability. With every one of us, there will be multiple times when the only solid tree to lean against (other than the Lord of All) is the one He planted many years ago in our life. A true friend does make it all the way through with us in our difficult, transitional seasons. Thank the Lord, if you have such a friend.
However, there is another aspect to friendship which is overlooked far too often. It is the loving, risking, honest and transparent kind of friendship that many do not possess. When we need correcting, friends who know how to pick the right time, the right tone, and the right words, can be some of the most invaluable assets in our lives. Of course, we don’t want correcting or unwanted advice. Actually, this is when we need it the most…when we don’t want it.
A fair-weather friend (one who is there in the good times only) will retreat to the nearest shade in moments like these. A real friend doesn’t mind going to the battlefield with us, and confronting us, because they truly love us. I hope you have that kind of friend in your life. I pray that you know how to discern the enemy who acts like they are supportive, only to get the inside track on you.
Where do you get trusted friends? First, they are gifts from God. Don’t ever throw away a friendship. They are just too valuable a commodity. Second, they come from our personal experiences over time and they are proven the same way. The best friends are those who have remained by your side in both the lean and prosperous times in your life.
Third, they come from the same place spiritually in your life. True friendship has a common, silver thread; they believe what you believe and seek to live it daily in community with you. Do you see that friend in your mind’s eye right now? I am sure you do. If so, pray for them now, thanking the Lord for the gift they have been to you over all these years. Do something more: Call them today. Let them know how much you love them for loving you over all these years. They will be glad you did, and so will you.
If our world becomes unstable, we need the kind of friendship that is found in stability. With every one of us, there will be multiple times when the only solid tree to lean against (other than the Lord of All) is the one He planted many years ago in our life. A true friend does make it all the way through with us in our difficult, transitional seasons. Thank the Lord, if you have such a friend.
However, there is another aspect to friendship which is overlooked far too often. It is the loving, risking, honest and transparent kind of friendship that many do not possess. When we need correcting, friends who know how to pick the right time, the right tone, and the right words, can be some of the most invaluable assets in our lives. Of course, we don’t want correcting or unwanted advice. Actually, this is when we need it the most…when we don’t want it.
A fair-weather friend (one who is there in the good times only) will retreat to the nearest shade in moments like these. A real friend doesn’t mind going to the battlefield with us, and confronting us, because they truly love us. I hope you have that kind of friend in your life. I pray that you know how to discern the enemy who acts like they are supportive, only to get the inside track on you.
Where do you get trusted friends? First, they are gifts from God. Don’t ever throw away a friendship. They are just too valuable a commodity. Second, they come from our personal experiences over time and they are proven the same way. The best friends are those who have remained by your side in both the lean and prosperous times in your life.
Third, they come from the same place spiritually in your life. True friendship has a common, silver thread; they believe what you believe and seek to live it daily in community with you. Do you see that friend in your mind’s eye right now? I am sure you do. If so, pray for them now, thanking the Lord for the gift they have been to you over all these years. Do something more: Call them today. Let them know how much you love them for loving you over all these years. They will be glad you did, and so will you.
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