Today, Colby and I celebrate 3 years since we got engaged (and yes, we do celebrate every anniversary possible; monthiversaries, engagements, etc – feel free to roll your eyes all you want). I posted our engagement story last year with some pictures so if you are up for reading a sappy story, please do!! He is out of town today, so we don’t have any plans, but it’s always a fun day to remember and celebrate.
Now onto an awesome series LifeChurch.tv just recently finished up. They did a 4-part series about friends. This series was full of lots of truth and was very convicting for me. I hope some of the points below hit home for you too!
Craig drove home the main point with this: “Show me your friends and I will show you future”.
Isn’t that the truth? Aren’t we influenced by the people we hang out with? Think about your top 2 or 3 closest friends. Think about the qualities they have, because most likely yours are very similar to theirs.
If your friends go out and party every Friday night, you are probably doing the same. If they bash their husbands during girls night, then yep, you most likely are too. If they tell crude jokes, you most likely are laughing or participating. I realize this isn’t always the case. But, even if you aren’t doing those things, no one wants to be around someone who is a bad influence on you. Do not be fooled. “Bad companions ruin good character.” 1 Corinthians 15:33
What about those friends who encourage you on a bad day? Those who are devoted to spending time in the word or attending small group and church functions? Those who only speak life? If your top 2 or 3 friends are doing these things, then most likely won’t you want to as well? Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble. Proverbs 13:20
Craig brought up the topic of social media and how it has impacted friendships and relationships over the years. Isn’t that the truth? We have gone from phone calls to texting, emailing, or facebooking. It’s amazing to see how social media has caused friendships to deteriorate over the years. It actually makes me really sad to see that some people don’t ever want to answer their phone calls or return voicemails anymore. They would rather respond back via a text message.
I don’t know about you, but I want friends who walk life with me. I want them to walk through the trials (like now) and rejoice during the happy times. Most of us can say that going through a trial really makes us realize who are true friends are. This has definitely been the case for us.
You might be one friend away from changing your destiny. Who are your close friends? What can you do to be a better friend? Are your friends encouraging you? Are they influencing you to be a better person? Most likely who you hang out with predicts how your future will be.
Be a better friend. Call people. Share your weaknesses; they are the best way to connect with people. Be present. Spend time with your friends who are a good influence on you.
I encourage you to check out the series if you can. There is much more detailed info on how to love and be a light to those who aren’t encouraging you and how to step back from relationships that the Lord might be showing you need to come to an end.
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