Good friends are like stars. You don’t always see them, but you know they are there.
I’ve been quiet around here a lot this half a year or so. I’m praying constantly for God to reveal to me what He wants me to do and where He wants this ministry to go. Over and over He has laid the topic of friendship on my heart and mind.
You and I have two things in common here. Christ and friendship. When those two worlds crash into each other, we get something truly unbelievable. It’s brilliant, heart warming, wonderful, and messy. Complicated and rewarding.
I’m currently working on my outline and chapters for a new ebook on friendship. Here’s where I need you. Seriously, need you my friends, to help me write a book that speaks to the hearts of women about biblical friendships. Not just the fluffy parts of friendship -I need that stuff too – but the real nitty gritty, tough stuff.
Things To Share:
- Your struggles in friendships. What are the tough things when it comes to friendships with women?
- Is it hard to make friends with other women, specifically Christian women? Why or why not?
- When do you break off a friendship?
- How do you break up with a friend?
- Gossip – How to deal with it and stop it.
- Favorite bible verses and quotes on friendship.
Grab a few of those topics and share in the comments section. You can use an anonymous user name – your email address doesn’t get posted or shared.
Here are a few of my favorite verses and quotes and some you shared on the fan page:
A friend loves at all times. Proverbs 17:17
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. John 15:12-15
And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
Luke 6:31Love one another with brotherly affection. Out do one another in showing honor. Romans 12:10
One of the most beautiful qualities of true friendship is to understand and to be understood.
Lucius Annaeus SenecaThe greatest gift of life is friendship, and I have received it.
Hubert H. HumphreyWalking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.
Helen KellerA real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.
Walter WinchellI cannot even imagine where I would be today were it not for that handful of friends who have given me a heart full of joy. Let’s face it, friends make life a lot more fun.
Charles R. SwindollIt is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them.
Ralph Waldo EmersonLove is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Your turn! Share your favorite quotes, bible verses and thoughts on friendship!
Blessings,
Photo credit adamr at Free Digital Photos (Featured photo).
You May Also Enjoy:
How To Create Friendships For A Lifetime
Relationships Begin With Friendship
When Other Believers Inflict Wounds
Dear Mel Vol9
Great topic, Mel! I really struggle with letting friends take over my life. I am terrible at setting boundaries because I feel mean telling someone no. Then I end up feeling resentful of the friendship. I’d like some ideas on that.
Mary, that is a great topic! I also struggle with boundaries. How do you set them with someone who won’t listen to them? I constantly feel like I’m being walked all over. I can say no, and this friend will still do it. And I’d love ideas on how to make new friendships. Real friendships.
Boundaries are tough. I have struggled with that one too. I hate hurting feelings and disappointing. Thanks for your input!
Thanks for your input Mary! That is an area I will definitely cover.
I just posted one on my wall yesterday that said,
Friendship is not about who you’ve known the longest. It’s about who walked into your life, said “I’m here for you,” and proved it.
I think their grammar and sentence structure needs help, but I love what it says!
A friend needs to understand how you think. And when it becomes clear that this isn’t the case you need to walk away. When it becomes an effort to try and explain your situation you need to find someone else to talk to.
At least for me, my own feelings of inadequacy from childhood become deeper when I spoke to this friend, I needed someone to talk to but not her!
I hope this makes sense…
Amy, well said! That can be the most frustrating when you say something and they just don’t get it. And I too struggle with my childhood insecurity rearing it’s head in these situations. I think it’s important to know WHO you can have certain conversations with and who you cannot. Takes time but it can alleviate so much frustration. Love the quote. Thanks for sharing!
I had to cut a friend off. It has in a way ruined a friendship. There is no pain or malice I just cannot trust the person the same way ever again. I now feel like I have to live on my guard with her.
I wish there was more in the Bible about women friendships but there is not. Instead I see Gods friendship towards mankind poured out more often than not in the pages of scripture. I know being a good Christian means being a good friend and loving my neighbor will make me friendly.
I am a people person and I like making friends but it has become harder to do in this season of my life. People seem busy or just not my type. Part of it is that I am living in the Christian bubble instead of meeting random strangers like I used to. I like to encounter people on the fringes of society. I love best those who don’t seem to fit in traditional molds.
SingleMamma4God recently posted..Of Band and Brotherhood
I hear you. My needs for different types of friendships have changed as life changes. And I did the same thing, staying w/i my Christian bubble for a very long time. Thank you for being so honest and sharing all of this!
Hey Mel,
What a great read. I can relate to all these responses….but the only quote that is going through my head right now is:
“You’ve got a friend.” by James Taylor.
In his song, there are all kinds of references that deal with friendships.
I bet I could get a whole lot of quotes about true friendship out of that song.
Thanks for sharing and sharing what others have to say.
Blessings to you,
Donna
Best friends sit and share a glass of wine, a naff tv programme and a good cry while a husband is lying in hospital with cancer, us not knowing if he’s ever coming home.
Yes, I am so thankful she has you all!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on friendship.
Regards