friendship
friendship is a very important part of life. when i began to take my relationship with God seriously, i asked God to bless me with real Christian friends. i need people in my life that would encourage me to fulfill my call and i would do the same. (iron sharpens iron). i need people to hang out with who would not ask me to do anything that would compromise my Christianity. i need people who want to have fun without asking me to compromise my walk with God. i need people in my life who can teach me things about life that i never pondered or experienced.
i have had seasons in my life where God says here are some friends to walk with you through this season in your life. i have had other seasons where God is like, 'walk with Me. let's talk. let's discuss. let's listen to what My Word says about this.let Me heal you. let Me transform you.'
a third season in my life is when God informs me that a relationship was temporary and it is about to cease. initially i would get mad at God and say, 'why did You tease me with the relationship? don't send anyone new okay. I'm through with people. I'll go solo.' after i stopped pouting, God would say, 'let me teach you what you learned in the relationship.' this was comforting. Holy Spirit showed me how i grew or changed or was effected by the relationship. i apologized to God and was like, 'okay I'm ready to go forward God.'
it is important to remember to not only pray for friends, yet for God to be the center of the relationship. when it is time to say things of importance, ask God to prepare your friends heart. rehearse what you want to say in prayer and let Holy Spirit give you pointers. all relationships are not perfect. its okay to disagree.
pray together on a weekly/regular basis. its good to speak life, of the promises of God's Word, into your friends life. it strengthens you and your friend's soul.
bible study is important also. you hold your friend accountable by asking them if they have been doing bible study daily to understand, seek, and become the person God is calling them to be. when you do bible study together, even if its once a month, it is cool to share how God speaks to you two individually and collectively based on where you both are in your walk.
Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all time, and a sister/brother is born for adversity.
Proverbs 18:24 a woman / man who has friends must herself / himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a sister / brother.
God,
i want to thank You for being the Friend who sticks closer than a sister or brother. God, You accept me as I am, through Your mercy and Your grace, and You encourage me to become the woman / man of God that I am called to be. God perfect those things which concern me. God help me be friendly. God transform me into a friendly person. Deliver me from unholy behavior. God teach me how to love at all times. God bless me friends who will remind me who i am in You and who You are calling me to be. in Jesus' name, amen.
