Appreciate your friends.
"Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labour."
Ecclesiastes 4:9
Nobody was meant to be in the world alone. Friends are important no matter what.
"If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up." Ecclesiastes 4:10
Friends are one of the greatest gifts from God. In them, we can find comfort, love and they accept us as we are. However, they can be very challenging, as it takes a lot of work to build true friendships and keep them healthy and joyful. Friends seem to have just the right words when we need it, whether on good or bad moments.
They are important and needed in all life circumstances. Is important to keep a friendship circle healthy and full of well-minded people. People with the same type of mentality, same standards and believes as you or higher, you'll only gain from it. Growth is great but is even better when we can also learn from the people around us.
Disclaimer: That doesn't mean you can not be friends with people that don't share the same beliefs as you. The key to this friendship to work is "RESPECT".
Respect each other's views and don't cross boundaries between you.
Keep your circle healthy.
Our friendships are a clear reflection of ourselves. You have probably heard of this famous saying; "Tell me who your friends are and I will tell you who you are".
Our friendships influence us, whether we believe it or not.
"One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." Proverbs 18:24.
What type of influence are your friends having in your life?
Our friendship circle is meant to be a group where you can find comfort, limits, respect, harmony, love, joy, growth, motivation and fun, they are meant to bring out the best of us. To help make sure we don't act out of character, however, when we do, they will definitely be there to call us out.
"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11
On the other hand, they are not meant at any mean, to disrespect you, your beliefs, your standards and influence you in wrongdoings. They are not meant to make you cross boundaries and live with regrets.
"Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared." Proverbs 22:24-25
If your circle is not adding any value into your life, is not teaching you nothing, not appreciating you then you need to rethink of those who you call "FRIENDS".
In our lifetime we will encounter friends that are not our friends, people that seem friendly and nice but not just meant to be our friends.
Not every one that seems nice, friendly or has the attributes we desire in a friend, is meant to be our friends. Choose your friends wisely.
Not everyone around you needs to be your friend.
Proverbs 18:24 says; “Some friends play at friendship but a true friend sticks closer than one’s nearest kin.”
The Message; True friends will be with you through life’s most soul-shaking changes.
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Thank you and have a blessed week.