Having read about how important friendships are to you and your growth(in the part 1), we present to you some vital steps to practise, if you will maximize the gift of friendship that God has made possible for everyone:
1. Make intentional friendship choices
Many people do not choose their friendships intentionally. That is why they often find themselves among friends that negatively influence them.
There is a popular saying: “You are the average of the five people closest to you.”
You are the average of the five people closest to you.
If you constantly surround yourself(or allow yourself to be surrounded) with people who are less serious, less ambitious, or less virtuous, it will eventually reflect in the kind of person you become.
The Bible says, “He who walks with the wise will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.” This means that if you desire wisdom, you must walk with the wise. If you want to be smarter, spend time with intelligent people. If you want to be stronger, walk with strong people. If you want to be great, surround yourself with people who share similar goals.
2. Carry your parents and other responsible people along.
Many teenagers believe it is uncool to let their parents know who their friends are, but that is not true. Your parents should know your friends and what kind of people they are. If you feel uncomfortable introducing your friends to your parents, it may be an indicator of the kind of company you are keeping.
3. Learn to refuse wrong associations.
This is very important. As a child of God, you must also learn to say no to wrong associations. Gone are the days when you were shy to admit that you are a Christian. Being a child of God is something to be proud of, and you should never feel pressured to lower your standards to fit in with people who are not God-conscious.
4. In proper self respect, do not force yourself on others.
While it is important to make friends, you should never feel compelled to force yourself into friendships. The truth about friendships is that not everyone will want to be close to you. You should quickly recognize when you are not wanted in a group and have enough self-love and respect to walk away.
This does not mean you are a bad person or that no one wants to be your friend—it simply means that they may not be the right fit for you at that time.
5. Make friends of like minds.
Remember, the beauty of true friendship lies in shared interests, common goals, and mutual values. If you find yourself constantly in conflict with your friends over things that truly matter to you, it may be time to re-evaluate your standards and your criteria for friendship.
6. Seek a relationship with God.
Above all, never forget that God is our best and truest friend. He wants the best for us. The Bible says, *“The thoughts I have toward you are thoughts of good and not of evil, to give you a desirable end.”* God desires a personal relationship with you. Do not delay—make that decision today.
Do well to check out the part 1 of this topic, if you haven't.
Post a Comment
0Comments