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- Apr 25, 2006
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BFF (3)
'Each part ... helps the other parts grow' Ephesians 4:16
They say it's smart to pick your friends - but not to pieces. So be careful when you're trying to bring out the best in your friends (like God asks us to) that you don't end up ripping them to shreds.
Before you go wading in with your Size 9s, check your motives. Do you want to correct your friend for all the right reasons - or are you trying to make yourself look good? Do you want to build them up - or are you trying to knock them down a peg or two?
The world needs more warm hearts and fewer hot heads, so no bouncing in starting a slanging match. When someone accepts us as their friend it means we've earned their trust and respect.
Don't be quick to throw that away: Proverbs 27:6 says 'wounds from a friend can be trusted.' Friendship puts us in a position were we can say things that, at times, are difficult but needed. But if we go in all-guns-blazing or with selfish ulterior motives then rather than help a friend we're more likely to lose a friend.
If done in the right way, a real friend will eventually thank you for pointing out where they're going wrong, because they'll come to understand you had their best interests at heart.
If there's a tough situation you need to confront a friend about, think about how you're going to do it first and then ask yourself this question: if you were that friend, would you want to be friends with you?
written by Bob Gass
'Each part ... helps the other parts grow' Ephesians 4:16
They say it's smart to pick your friends - but not to pieces. So be careful when you're trying to bring out the best in your friends (like God asks us to) that you don't end up ripping them to shreds.
Before you go wading in with your Size 9s, check your motives. Do you want to correct your friend for all the right reasons - or are you trying to make yourself look good? Do you want to build them up - or are you trying to knock them down a peg or two?
The world needs more warm hearts and fewer hot heads, so no bouncing in starting a slanging match. When someone accepts us as their friend it means we've earned their trust and respect.
Don't be quick to throw that away: Proverbs 27:6 says 'wounds from a friend can be trusted.' Friendship puts us in a position were we can say things that, at times, are difficult but needed. But if we go in all-guns-blazing or with selfish ulterior motives then rather than help a friend we're more likely to lose a friend.
If done in the right way, a real friend will eventually thank you for pointing out where they're going wrong, because they'll come to understand you had their best interests at heart.
If there's a tough situation you need to confront a friend about, think about how you're going to do it first and then ask yourself this question: if you were that friend, would you want to be friends with you?
written by Bob Gass
