6 Reasons Why You Need A Christian Friend In Your Life
Growing up, I have gained so many friends. We came to parties together, ate together, made assignments together, and even helped each other during exams (oopsie!). I had friends during the good times of my life. I always had them by my side when I was happy. But inevitably, we learn as we mature, happy days come to an end. As the normal girl that I was, I experienced A LOT of struggles and trials. When the negative situations came, I soon became lonely because I was literally alone. I had no friends to stay by my side.. I only had myself.
Ideally, when we are struggling, we would like our friends to come and help us as soon as they can (even just talk to us or grace us with their presence). I would like to think I do just that for all of my friends--I go out of my way to perform the exact definition of what a friend should be. But during the greatest struggle of my teenage years, I asked myself often, "How come that when I'm the one who's encountering a problem, no one approaches me or ask me how I am?"
At that time, I concluded that people were selfish. It started my trust issues. I thought my friends would only approach me or be friends with me in good times-- if I can give them something beneficial. I developed anger on certain people in my life before because I thought I was in the losing side of the game.
My perception on people only changed when one day someone approached me and asked me how I was feeling. She came at the right time. She came when I really needed a person or friend to rely on. SHE'S MY CHRISTIAN FRIEND.
Yes, I was one of the people who thought she was crazy for being so devoted to God.
I didn't get her and I tagged her as "religious" and "so clean" I felt like I've so much dirt on me for not being as "kind" and "devoted" as she was. I thought it would be impossible to become her friend since I was not really that interested in becoming a "follower" of Jesus Christ.
BUT THERE SHE WAS--She was the strong hand on my saggy shoulder. She became the source of warmth to my cold perception towards people. She was a willing aid to my then mourning soul.
Today, I have so many Christian friends. And one thing I can say about them: THEY ARE SO RELIABLE AND CARING.. JUST LIKE CHRIST. Although I would say they are nowhere near being perfect human beings. They will commit mistakes and experience hardships and failures, but they strive to help others struggling even when they are also struggling themselves. And that was exactly what got me fascinated by these people. Christian friends can be praying for you at one time and grabbing pizza with you at another.
SIX REASONS WHY YOU NEED A CHRISTIAN FRIEND:
1. They will say NOT ONLY all the exact words you want to hear, but say all the things you NEED to hear, too. - They become God's instruments. My Christian friends listen to me first as I confide in them but more importantly, they listen to God more. The words your Christian friends will speak to you will make you feel like God is talking to you. Words that are satisfying, encouraging and full of wisdom. They won't advice like a typical person. They advice with a straight-up intention of helping and wanting a friend to be a better and healed person.
"Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character."- 1 Corinthians 15:33
2. You are kept in good company. - It may sound surreal but having Christian friends can actually prevent you from putting yourself in an unwanted situation. I have observed my Christian friends and they normally think first before taking any action. They are, though it may seem really funny, the kind of friends that your parents would love to surround you with. They (based on my experience) won't take you to a dangerous place, but rather they take you to a good and beneficial place like a place of worship, the church or a support group where you can gain new friends who some may be just as broken as you are, but are willing to gain new identity and strength from Christ.
3. They don't tolerate! - A Christian friend would correct you if you're doing something wrong (may have learned this the hard way for the nth time hehe!), even if it is going to hurt you. They correct you because they love you and they want all the best things for you. They would rather correct you, than tolerate you for doing wrong things.
Better is open rebuke than hidden love.- Proverbs 27:5
4. They pray for you. - Their help doesn't stop from just giving you advice. They pray for you--they pray with you! You can have many friends, but not all of them will pray for you. They believe that God can turn your brokenness into gladness. You won't hear words like "kaya mo yan, friend. Inom na lang natin yan, ganyan talaga buhay e." They pray for a WAY OUT of your problems!
5. They can find out immediately if you are NOT okay. - If you're having a problem and tell them you're "okay" or "fine", they won't believe you (this is also kind of funny). My Christian friends can discern my emotions or feelings right away. They won't let me get away, but rather they will ask more questions until I admit that I'm not okay or I need help. If you ever think that no one can understand you so you would just keep your mouth shut, your Christian friends will come to the rescue. Again, they would become God's instruments for you!
6. They help you have a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. - The most important reason of all: they draw you nearer to Christ, our personal Lord and Savior. Ever wondered why some people are still doing fine even though the things their lives are really probably in chaos? It's because Christ is with them! Jesus gives a different kind of peace in the hearts of the people who have a relationship with Him. They believe that everything will turn out fine because God is in control. If you want to have that peace in your heart even though you're already in a mess, then have Christ and Christian friends intact in your life!
You can have friends as many as you want, but for me, a Christian friend is definitely incomparable! I would say that the bestfriend I could ever have is that one friend who strives to pursue GOOD and imitates Christ, as well as encouraging me to be more like Christ.
So, do you have any Christian friends? If yes, why not give them a BIG HUG today just to express your gratitude that they are in your life. If you have none yet, go gain yourself one! Go have yourself one of God's gifts and value him/her. God bless you! xoxo
(edited by: Anne Coleman-Precilla, RLC Team Harvesters Mediaknight)
