There are ‘friends’ who destroy each other, but “there is a friend
that sticketh closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24b
Have you had a good friend, you thought would be your friend for life, turn their back on you?
Have you trusted your best friend with a heartfelt secret, only to have them reveal the depths of your soul to the whole world?
A true friend the Bible tells us sticks closer than a brother, but have you had a long time friend become a long lost friend? Did they leave you wondering what had happened? Often those you think are your dearest friends disappear when they are needed the most. When something is requested of them they have something else more pressing.
Sometimes when your usefulness has been used up by your friends they find other friends they can use. If you ask something of a friend they may see it as an inconvenience to them and decide your friendship isn't worth their time. The second verse in the above chapter, says, "Unfriendly people care only about themselves." There are just some people who don't make best friends.
Some friends like you for what you have and will share with them. If you withhold your generosity, they are no longer your friend.
There are friends who deliberately set out to destroy you for one reason or another. Usually such actions stem from jealousy. If you are too pretty or too successful or have something they desire, they will turn on you feeling the need to damage or ruin you or your reputation.
School will soon be starting and some teens will run into fickle friends as they begin another year of studies. Gossiping and deception will make up many friendships as youngsters are fooled into thinking their best friends are being loyal.
Yet, there are people who remain friends all through school into adulthood and beyond. Some girlfriends have shared loyalty until death separated them in old age, passing their friendship on to the next generation.
True friendships do not wane when one or the other falls on hard times or illnesses occur. It is in those times true friendships are tested and stand the test of time. It is then that giving of one’s self shows what friends are truly made of and seals a close relationship.
One cannot expect always to take, in fusing a relationship. Bonding comes when both parties give of themselves unselfishly and are willing to overlook the mistakes and faults of the other.
Remember if you have a friendship you cherish, don't offend your treasured friend; the Bible also says, "An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars."
Friendships were important to Jesus. But even some of his closest friends, the disciples who traveled with Him, betrayed Jesus and another denied knowing Him, while others fell asleep when they were supposed to be watching as He prayed.
Do you have a best friend? It has been said, "Your best friend should bring out the best in you." Remember, to have a best friend; you must be a best friend, and even then there will be those who will set themselves against you. You will indeed be blessed if you find a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Remember if all your friends choose to abandon you, God will always be there as your "Best Friend."
…..Betty King (baking2@charter.net) (www.bettyking.net) by way of “Christian Voices” (www.ChristianVoicesWorldwide.com) Betty is a newspaper Life Style and Devotional columnist who has lived with MS for over forty years; she is an author of: It Takes Two Mountains to Make a Valley, But-It Was in the Valleys I Grew, The Fragrance of Life, and Safe and Secure in the Palm of His Hand.
My Comments: This devotional means a lot to me. I recognize that often I stop being the friend I need to be and focus on my needs and wants in the relationship. This is selfish and destroys the bonding on the relationship. Only God can repair the damage done in this kind of situation. I must trust Him to do so, and I must wait on the Lord.
that sticketh closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24b
Have you had a good friend, you thought would be your friend for life, turn their back on you?
Have you trusted your best friend with a heartfelt secret, only to have them reveal the depths of your soul to the whole world?
A true friend the Bible tells us sticks closer than a brother, but have you had a long time friend become a long lost friend? Did they leave you wondering what had happened? Often those you think are your dearest friends disappear when they are needed the most. When something is requested of them they have something else more pressing.
Sometimes when your usefulness has been used up by your friends they find other friends they can use. If you ask something of a friend they may see it as an inconvenience to them and decide your friendship isn't worth their time. The second verse in the above chapter, says, "Unfriendly people care only about themselves." There are just some people who don't make best friends.
Some friends like you for what you have and will share with them. If you withhold your generosity, they are no longer your friend.
There are friends who deliberately set out to destroy you for one reason or another. Usually such actions stem from jealousy. If you are too pretty or too successful or have something they desire, they will turn on you feeling the need to damage or ruin you or your reputation.
School will soon be starting and some teens will run into fickle friends as they begin another year of studies. Gossiping and deception will make up many friendships as youngsters are fooled into thinking their best friends are being loyal.
Yet, there are people who remain friends all through school into adulthood and beyond. Some girlfriends have shared loyalty until death separated them in old age, passing their friendship on to the next generation.
True friendships do not wane when one or the other falls on hard times or illnesses occur. It is in those times true friendships are tested and stand the test of time. It is then that giving of one’s self shows what friends are truly made of and seals a close relationship.
One cannot expect always to take, in fusing a relationship. Bonding comes when both parties give of themselves unselfishly and are willing to overlook the mistakes and faults of the other.
Remember if you have a friendship you cherish, don't offend your treasured friend; the Bible also says, "An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars."
Friendships were important to Jesus. But even some of his closest friends, the disciples who traveled with Him, betrayed Jesus and another denied knowing Him, while others fell asleep when they were supposed to be watching as He prayed.
Do you have a best friend? It has been said, "Your best friend should bring out the best in you." Remember, to have a best friend; you must be a best friend, and even then there will be those who will set themselves against you. You will indeed be blessed if you find a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Remember if all your friends choose to abandon you, God will always be there as your "Best Friend."
…..Betty King (baking2@charter.net) (www.bettyking.net) by way of “Christian Voices” (www.ChristianVoicesWorldwide.com) Betty is a newspaper Life Style and Devotional columnist who has lived with MS for over forty years; she is an author of: It Takes Two Mountains to Make a Valley, But-It Was in the Valleys I Grew, The Fragrance of Life, and Safe and Secure in the Palm of His Hand.
My Comments: This devotional means a lot to me. I recognize that often I stop being the friend I need to be and focus on my needs and wants in the relationship. This is selfish and destroys the bonding on the relationship. Only God can repair the damage done in this kind of situation. I must trust Him to do so, and I must wait on the Lord.
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