FRIEND PROBLEMS?

The Michael W. Smith song "Friends" is awesome, one of my favorites. As Christians we go through life and make all kinds of friends. Some people have more than others if they have moved around a good deal. Not all friends turn out to be true friends. For anyone who has had a friend who does not want to be your friend anymore it can be confusing and painful. Proverbs 18:19 says "An offended brother is more unyielding than a fortified city, and disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel."  Careless words may have been spoken and the person who was wounded wants to wound you back and not end the dispute.This can even happen among family members who are supposed to be friends such as an argument among siblings for instance. The enemy just loves this stuff. Separations and bitterness are some of the best tools in Satan's arsenal. If only Christians could understand this and forgive and forget. Lots of marriages would have been saved too if people just learned to overlook an offense and move on. But alas, self gets in the way and wants its' way. You can say you forgive but if you want nothing to do with the other person what good is that really? Is that really forgiveness? Luke 6:37 says "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven."

Ideally the Lord wants people to love and forgive and put hurts behind them, but our humanness rears its' ugly head and shuts out the other person. This does not seem "Christian" but it does happen sad to say. What happened to forgive and forget?  Only the Holy Spirit can heal this type of problem. Begging someone to forgive you does nothing. In fact it might make them angrier at you. Surrender this to the Lord and forgive that person for hurting you and try as best you can to move on in life.

Some people just do not want to forgive and you can not force anyone to like you or let you back into their 'circle of friends'. This may be more of something that happens to women since we are more social creatures but perhaps some of the male readers may identify with it. It is painful to be rejected especially by someone who used to hang out with you. Many people seem to like to keep the anger fires going but yet can waltz right into church and act as if nothing has happened. Relationships take work. It is usually the mouth that gets people in the trouble in the first place. Commit this verse to memory and try to live by it and see if things do not go better for you. James 1:19 says "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." If you try to truly live by this regardless of how other people treat you your life will be so much better and you will be closer to God. 

PRAYER: Lord I thank you so very very much for the wonderful true friends you have placed in my life. Some friends may be in our life for a reason or a season. I choose to forgive any friend who has hurt me whether they ask for forgiveness or not. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Note: Enjoy the following song from Michael W Smith. Click on link. 
http://youtu.be/oOCJAVlESEo