WHAT TRUE FRIENDSHIP LOOKS LIKE?
OVERVIEW
One of the best things in life is to have a best friend, do you agree? I remember when I was a child, looks like everyone is my best friend HAHA, Literally! From playing paper dolls, running on the rice field, gradually.... to sharing little secrets, having a crush, to sharing dreams and goals in life.
It is really true that our experiences are our best teachers in life, even in friendship. There are some who stay, some leaves. It is said in:
PROVERBS 18:24
"One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
When I reached my early 20s, I came up to realize that not all my friends will last forever. The truth struck me that many of my friends are just with me for fun, we're just friends in good times. It was sad. But then, all of them were became part of my life and contribute to whom I become now. Some memories with them are worth cherishing, some are not. All in all, I learned a lot.
HERE ARE THE 6 SIGNS OF GENUINE FRIENDSHIP
1. YOU'RE STILL FRIENDS EVEN IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN EACH OTHER FOR YEARS
Seems like nothing has changed, you're not awkward to talk about different things that had happened in your life for the past years. This is really what true friendship means. During your 'catching up reunion', feels like you were still those little high school friends joyfully chatting about this or that. This kind of friendship never really gets old. No boasting of achievements, just pretty sincere conversations and encouragement for each other. It is so beautiful. I can really say that you've matured in the way of thinking and interests in life. It is said in:
PROVERBS 13:20
"He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm."
2. THEY JUST LOVE YOU FOR BEING YOURSELF
If you have a best friend, probably you knew almost everything about his/her life, right? That good attitude and even the bad habits of your friend, those small and dark secrets, and basically your friend's strengths and weaknesses.
3. A REAL FRIEND TELLS YOU THE TRUTH EVEN WHEN IT HURTS
PROVERBS 27:5
"Open rebuke is better than secret love."
What does rebuke mean? Rebuke is an expression of sharp disapproval for someone. And it hurts however, it is real. Sometimes, someone needs to remind you of the truth in order for you to realize that what you're doing is wrong. When we are blinded by our own emotions and selfish desires, we can't distinguish right from wrong. That's where our true friend comes in!
You're blessed if you have a friend who is not afraid to tell you the truth. Because that friend knows that it is for your good, you may feel hurt at first, but little did you know, that open rebuke saves you from being broken so many times.
4. REAL FRIEND WILL CELEBRATE WITH YOU FOR YOUR SUCCESS
This is another great lesson that I've learned about friendship. True and sincere friendship is not operated by grudge or jealousy. Envy is a sin. Think about it, if your friend can't celebrate with you for your success or when you're happy, what kind of friendship is that?
PROVERBS 14:30 says:
"A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones."
Envy is a heart issue. I even suffered from it before. However, if you are that 'real friend', do not worry, you can always pray for your envious friend. Perfect love drives out fear, perfect love covers multitudes of sin. Let's just always remember, we have a role model, our Lord Jesus who teaches us how to act in every situation.
LUKE 6:28:
"Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you."
MATTHEW 5:43-44
"Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you"
5. REAL FRIEND KNOWS WHEN YOU'RE SAD OR LOW
I have a best friend and I just feel it when she's not okay. It looks like you're made to encourage her and inspires her when she's at her lowest. It was unexplainable, probably because you've been together for years, just like your real brothers or sisters, you can see it in her eyes or maybe sometimes you just really knew it.
I don't know about you but I'm so grateful for having those friends who will just send me text messages out of nowhere. The encouragement that you really need at that very moment. It is just so amazing!
6. REAL FRIEND WILL BRING YOU CLOSER TO THE RIGHT SOLUTION, THE REAL SOURCE OF LIFE- GOD
Our world is corrupt. Some of you didn't notice it, but that's the reality. Just think about it, when you're broken or depressed, you come to your friends and tell them your problem, they will ask you to give them some money so they can buy beer for you. You drink all night, however, the problem is still there. It is still not resolved, you lose some money, you have a headache and you're still frustrated with your life.
It's just an example, don't get me wrong. I'm not generalizing things, It is just based on my very own experience. If you will just open your eyes, you will realize that this world's standard is really apart from what God called us to be.
For you to better understand, kindly read this passage:
ROMANS 12:2
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
JOHN 14:6
"Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
ACTS 4:12
"And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”"
ROMANS 6:23
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Be thankful if your friend did not bring you to the club, or to any other places, because all of those things are only temporary. Temporary happiness lasts only for a short period of time. I am so glad that my best friend brought me closer to the Lord. I believe it was not an accident, She was a gift, She was used by the Lord to bless me even until now.
FINAL THOUGHTS
REAL FRIEND BRINGS IMPACT TO YOUR LIFE!
REAL FRIENDS WILL HELP YOU GROW AND LIFT YOU UP.
PROVERBS 27:17
"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another."
THAT IS WHY REMEMBER:
Your life is important to God and I do believe your friend truly loves you if he/she brought you to the right solution, The Highest, Our Creator.
There's no religion that could save you. Jesus alone is the way, the truth, and the life. There's an invitation for you my 'true friend'.
God wants to give you LIFE, real life, it is eternal, everlasting, never-ending. All you have to do is accept Jesus Christ in your heart, as your Lord and Savior. My prayer is that your personal relationship with the Lord grows as time passed by.
THE WORD OF GOD IS THE FINAL AUTHORITY OF YOUR LIFE.
REAL FRIENDS ARE A GIFT FROM GOD, CHERISH THEM.
REAL FRIEND PRAYS FOR YOU.
ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE WITH THE LORD.
THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE.
LOVE ENDURES.
♥♥♥
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