As I was reflecting abount friendships and boundaries, I happened to open my instagram and the first post appearing before my eyes was about friendships.
I believe is not a coincidence.
Here is the post I've read:
It spoke to me, and I now realized why I don't have the "easiness" I had before with certain people. Also, looking back, I realize there were friends who accompanied me in certain seasons and then left me. I'm grateful they were there, even if a little perplexed, I know I learned things.
But I thank God because who is meant to be there stands the test of time. In the good and in the bad, even when we happened to hurt each other, our desire to be together and show our appreciation for one another was stronger. Praise the Lord!💖💖💖
I remember that before this, once I went to a youth event in church and two young people came to me and the girl asked me if she could pray for me. I accepted. I didn't know them, and I didn't get to know them better later either, BUT that prayer changed things for me.💪💖 She prayed over me for true friends. This happened around 2016. I didn't know why, but my heart rejoiced because I felt alone. At the time I was growing in a friendship in the youth group but I couldn't imagine how amazing and precious this friendship could get.🙂💖💖
A precious childhood friend of mine has also been a very loyal and wonderful friend to me over the years.
The ground beneath my feet may have crumbled, but God restored and encouraged me (and continues to do so) through them. Helping me not to give up and giving me a hopeful vision of the present and the future.💖💖💖
Why am I writing this? Because friends are important and I am convinced that if you are reading this, you know it well too.
There is research that I love because I think it is very important. It shows that we are influenced by the 5 people we hang out with the most. I have experienced it personally so I believe it and often reflect on it.
There are also two Bible verses that can go well with these experiences.
Proverbs 13:20
He who walks [as a companion] with wise men will be wise, But the companions of [conceited, dull-witted] fools will experience harm.
and Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
Friends who are wise share their wisdom. I've been helped a lot through their perspective, and I saw situations getting better while moving on their advice.
I have walked with fools and been emotionally hurt. My self-esteem decreased in their company and I felt miserable. The apology wasn't sincere because their behavior didn't change. In the meantime I have seen and experienced that true friends, when they know they have hurt you (because they have been confronted), do their best to improve and demonstrate their affection in a healthy way.
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. When someone encourages us, our self-esteem increases. When someone is rooting for us, both in good times and bad, it makes it easier for us to fight and hope.
We only live once and we must choose those around us wisely. Sometimes, as the post I shared earlier showed, we need to surrender some people to God to align with His will and what He is doing in our lives. But there are friends closer than a family member. People with good character that the Lord has placed in our lives to remind us of His love and His truth about us. Because sometimes we don't see ourselves right, and we need another perspective to reset our point of view. These friendships, in my opinion, stand the test of time. No matter what happens; there is a deep love that goes beyond the difficulties. Love covers a multitude of sins. Mutual love, friendships, are a true blessing.
Prayer: 💖
God bless you💖 May God give you true friendships that remind you of His love for you and who you are in Him. May you too be a precious friendship to them and may your bond stand the test of time and difficulty. May your love abound and be stronger.
In the mighty name of Jesus, amen!
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