“A [woman] that hath friends must shew [herself] friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a [sister].” —Proverbs 18:24
I’ve often struggled with my friendships. I don’t consider myself the best of friends at the best of times, and I know way too often I am demanding and unforgiving when I should be the opposite. I’ve often struggled with the question of how can I, as Christian young women, be a friend? Not just the kind that buys chocolate for my friends, or talks about the latest and greatest happenings—that’s only surface stuff. I like having things deeper than that. I don’t believe we can have real friendships if that’s all that is happening.
Proverbs 6:3 says, “Do this now, my [daughter], and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend.” The “humble yourself” part of this verse could also be translated “submit yourself”. When you submit yourself, you are becoming open to criticism.
I’m sure you’ve seen somewhere a picture of a triangle with God at the top and a man and a woman at the bottom corners. It’s often used to help explain (in a rough way) how courtship and marriage are supposed to work (if I understood the object lesson wrong, then please tell me!). That triangle can also be applied to our friendships.
As we individually grow closer to God, we grow closer to each other. And our communication rises with us—closer to God. For the most part in my friendships, I have a hard time talking about God and what He’s been teaching me lately. It’s something I just don’t feel comfortable with…maybe it’s because I feel vulnerable.
That brings me to my final point: You are going to be vulnerable (and I’m talking to myself, as well as you!). If you are ever going to have a deep relationship with anyone, you have to be willing to be vulnerable. Exposed. Unguarded. And that’s really hard. But Jesus did it—I don’t think anyone has ever been more exposed for all the world to see than He!
While I haven’t given any real advice here, I’ll have to say—this is still a learning ground for me. I don’t have a magic trick for having friends or any how-to tips. I’m just praying I’ll be able to further bless, encourage, strengthen, and challenge those around me whom I am privileged to call friends. I hope you will be able to, as well.
Stand strong!
Esther
Thank you Esther! Being a good friend is something I'm having a rough time with right now. Good encouragement!
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome, Abigail. Guess we're in the same boat. :)
DeleteAw, loved this post, Esther! I never thought about friendships in such a way as you showed in this diagram - very clever, and quite true! And you are absolutely right...I myself have been working on being more honest, more vulnerable in my closer friendships and it's helped me quite a bit in that communication area. I feel kind of bad when I hear a friend say, "I didn't know that" in something that I've been struggling with or even just a normal quirk about me. It's such an important thing to be open about the faith-lessons God is teaching us too, because I've seen how He can use them to help in an area of their own lives too. Keep it up, and God will produce the fruit of the deeper relationships you long for in your friendships! :D
ReplyDeleteAnd, you asked for Jessica's playlists - here you go! :) She said to thank you for your interest and sorry that the information wasn't readily available for you since she deleted her blog.
List #1 - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE3E52A84A2BD360D&feature=mh_lolz
List #2 - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1FF4C5C764C6DA98&feature=mh_lolz
List #3 - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3E3334F64B082D07&feature=mh_lolz
List #4 - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL39MGfuG2pA3-Nz6io842q6YUU7c_9_VP&feature=mh_lolz
In Christ,
~Rachel~
I'm glad you were able to get something out of it! :) Isn't it amazing how complex friendships can be?
DeleteThank you, Rachel! I've subscribed to her profile so I won't lose them again. :)