Have you ever wondered why you stick with a friendship when you get so little out of it? Oh, I don't mean in the "what have you done for me lately?" sense where the "friendship" is all about me.
No, what I mean is that friend that always shines a light on your smallest mistake, like you have to meet that person's standards rather than your own. Or a friend that you have to be careful what you tell because it will be all over the street or church or the family with commentary before you can be settled in your own mind about how to handle matters. Or a friend that wants to be sure you are aware of every smallest challenge, pitfall and potential for failure every time you explore stepping up and stepping out into a better life by going back to school or looking for a better job or stepping forward to help in a more substantial way in church or the community.
What I want you to consider is the power of who we choose for friends and who we keep as friends and whose values are respected between friends. I'm not saying to give up on a friendship forever, but it may be time to broaden your friendship circle and it may be time to limit time and energy with someone who may not know how to be a good friend.
This is especially true when we are going through very challenging times and our time with our friend leaves us drained rather than empowered. Sometimes the folks we love the best aren't the best people to help us grow.
If you think you might need to make changes in this area, ask God's help. Then keep praying for all your friends including the new ones God is sending your way.
No, what I mean is that friend that always shines a light on your smallest mistake, like you have to meet that person's standards rather than your own. Or a friend that you have to be careful what you tell because it will be all over the street or church or the family with commentary before you can be settled in your own mind about how to handle matters. Or a friend that wants to be sure you are aware of every smallest challenge, pitfall and potential for failure every time you explore stepping up and stepping out into a better life by going back to school or looking for a better job or stepping forward to help in a more substantial way in church or the community.
What I want you to consider is the power of who we choose for friends and who we keep as friends and whose values are respected between friends. I'm not saying to give up on a friendship forever, but it may be time to broaden your friendship circle and it may be time to limit time and energy with someone who may not know how to be a good friend.
This is especially true when we are going through very challenging times and our time with our friend leaves us drained rather than empowered. Sometimes the folks we love the best aren't the best people to help us grow.
If you think you might need to make changes in this area, ask God's help. Then keep praying for all your friends including the new ones God is sending your way.
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