Every single relationship under the sun faces conflicts, but for a relationship to work, it takes two people who want the same thing. It takes people who are willing to be intentional and work hard. Because of our human nature, even the godliest friendships will have awkward and difficult moments. Did you know that these difficult moments help to make friendship even more beautiful? Yes! As you go through these difficulties, your friendship becomes stronger and stronger. Difficulties are an excellent opportunity for growth. They test your resolve and commitment to do life with your chosen few. So don’t despise the difficulties and cut people off as soon as you face difficulties.
Society tells us that as soon as someone does wrong, cut them off but as children of God who are supposed to do friendship God’s way, that’s not how it works in the Kingdom. What if God was supposed to cut you off as soon as you displease Him? Where would you be now? God wants you to love Him first, and then from that place love people. He wants you to prefer others above ourselves according to Philippians 2:3.
Dismissing friendships is not christlike love. Many think life is too short to spend time with people who suck the happiness out of you. And with that in mind, they have a tendency to want to weed out all the seemingly negative people around them. Anyone with a difficult friend has faced the temptation to abruptly sever ties with the friendship. Although it’s an enticing bonus that, if we do, we’ll be called “brave” for cutting them off; if the people we should cut off are just those who have let us down, well, haven’t we failed often too? Deciding whether to cut someone off is weighty. It calls for self-reflection and the bringing of our friendships before the Lord consistently.
The point I’m trying to make here is that you will indeed face difficulties in your friendships, but don’t be dismissive. Have the hard conversations, be vulnerable, forgive each other, fight for each other, and strive to love each other well. The world’s standard shouldn’t be our standard; our standard is Jesus and the way He loves us. So what will you do? Will you follow the world’s standard or Jesus’ standard?
[arrow_forms id=’2702′]
Angelisa is a Jesus enthusiast, Worship leader & Christian youth leader. She considers herself to be the old-fashioned type of girl who loves spicy food and belly bottom laughter. Among her passions are singing, working with children, and encouraging others.