What Is True Friendship

"May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus." Romans 15:5 

 

I am a very blessed women who is surrounded with a delightful sisterhood of friends. What is true friendship? What does your relationships look like? Are they sacrificial, agreeing with each other even when you don't agree? Are they challenging, do they stretch your patience? Are they self serving, do they edify your soul? Did you know that it is common for a true friendship to be marked by wounds?  Friendships can be among the most rewarding and the most frustrating relationships in our lives. A true friendship is a very rare thing, but when it is proven, it is something to treasure.

 

"Paul told believers to be compassionate, kind, humble, meek, patient, forgiving, at peace with one-another, loving, and thankful." Colossians 3:13-15

 

Haven't we all had relationships that have challenged us and maybe even stretched us just a little bit? Maybe more then one. Every once in awhile we will meet someone with the exact opposite personality and thought process then ours. It can cause friction that can even lead to a war of words. It takes a mature Christian to understand how to travel a road of discord.

 

"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17

 

If you are living through a challenging relationship, allow me to encourage you not to throw it away. There is great value in these relationships. You share a history that no one else has together. You bonded through experiences both good and bad. Most importantly, the challenges drew you to a deeper relationship with the Lord. A place where He taught you to lay self down and see others through the eyes of Jesus. A treasure bought with a price.