it important to what is urgent. Avoid confusion. For, “God is not the author of confusion but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33)
Though it is great knowing that under any circumstance, I have good people in my life. But, if the people in your circle are not aiming for “better” it might be time to get a new circle. If “they” are not trying to live better, do better, and become better why do you have them in your circle. Sometimes you just have to tell people what you feel because feelings are meant to be set free, not kept locked away inside our heart. But, if you constantly have to tell someone the same exact thing about how you feel and they do not change it, understand they do not respect you. However, if everyone in your circle is a “yes man or ma’am…” you have “no real” friends. People are social; many will eat and drink with you, and still try to hurt you.
Know your enemies. In fact life will be a lot easier when you realize that everyone cannot be your best friend. Your circle gets smaller the closer you are to Christ. Some will dislike you just for who you are and what God has placed on your life. You will be rejected and have to standalone at times because you refuse to compromise. But, the Bible says: “…the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 24:13)
When it comes to friends, it is always been quality over quantity.I will take a few close friends over wasting my time trying to please everyone. For a friend who understands your tears are much more valuable than a lot of friends who only know your smile. Hence, everyone who is in your circle is not in your corner, you better know the difference. Because not everything and everyone you see is what it or they appear to be. Just be careful about who you open up to.
Friends are those rare people who ask how we are, and then wait to hear the answer. Someone helping you is not always your friend. And someone opposing you is not always your enemy. The people who normally make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They simply are the ones who care the most. So, do not be a friend when it is convenient be a friend just because you care for the other person.
Just because you cared even when they neglected you, Someone was watching. Nothing you have ever given has gone unnoticed. Every sacrifice you have made, God has seen it. He knows how to bring justice to your life. It may not happen overnight, but it will happen. It might not have happened in the past, but God is still on the throne. It will happen in your future. “This is what the LORD says: Stop your crying, and wipe away your tears. You will be rewarded for your work, declares the LORD…!” (Jeremiah 31:16)
The truth is no one in this world is rich enough to have no need of friends. Those people who can sense the sorrow behind your smile, the love behind your anger, and the meaning behind your silence are your true friends in life. As much as friends are easy to find and easy to lose, real friends are the hardest to find and hardest to lose. I am talking about those people who never left you despite knowing your flaws; they have been with you through your ups and downs and somehow still inspire you to be a better person. Being a true friend means caring about someone enough to not give up on them even when they have given up on themselves.
It is not about who hurt you and broke you down, it is about who was always there and made you smile again. However just because someone said they will always be there for you, does not mean you can take them for granted. Learn to value and appreciate them because true value is not in what you have in life, but rather who you have in life. Sometimes you never know the real value of something or someone until it becomes a memory. So, if you value your friends thank God for them now, because they were His idea and crafted by His hand, to add value to your life. Precious friends are a gift from God. “A man with many friends can still be ruined,but a true friend sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24)
Sometimes God often leads us through very lonely roads, just to teach us to make Him the focus of our lives. Do not panic when you are on that road. When you feel empty, deserted, and lonely, it is time to get even closer to God, do not force companionship. Be still, He is there with you, always. He is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
He has resolution for your pain, a cause for your struggle and a compensation for your faithfulness. He saw you when you were awake at around 3 am, enveloped in sheets of terrible thoughts while sobbing into your pillow. He cares. God hears and answers all prayers, but His answer is not always “yes”. It may be “wait”, or “I have something better for you.” So, “…Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” (1 Peter 5:7).
I have also realised that those who are the most grateful for God are often those who have suffered the most in the past. And those who claim to live by faith the most seem to be the very ones who have the most bodyguards. So, when you get the opportunity, do not sell yourself short. There are many who need to hear about your walk and experience with your Father in Heaven.
The broken road you have been walking on was a blessing in disguise. Until you got broken, you did not know what you are made of. You would not know how strong your faith could be and your love for God would overflow into abundant streams. When your life story unfold, it help others walking in their road, that makes it all worth it for you. And above all it brings glory to God. So, be bold enough to tell your own story. When left to others, your story may take on an entirely different tone.
As there are always two sides to every story but, some stories just need to be laid to rest. Keep living and let your life tell your side. Let your fruit speak so that you do not forget who broke you off. Many people may know your name, but not your story. They might have heard what you have done but not what you have been through. We do not need more dazzling storytellers; we need more genuine ones. Making any assumption, good or bad is just plain wrong. You cannot speak with integrity about a lifestyle you are not living or experiences you did not go through.
The difference between the truth you know and the truth you live equals the pain you experience. So, do not be afraid to witness God to others only because you do not know Bible verses by heart. Even though you cannot quote the Bible, you can always tell people about the God of the Bible. Tell them what He is done in and for you. Simply bear a witness to what your Lord has said and done. For, “…it is not by your might nor by power but by the Spirit of the Lord.” (Zachariah 4:6)
Remember, that some people will always question the good things they hear about you, and believe the bad ones without a second thought irrespective of who narrates your story. They would always found something to criticize. But, most people want to hear it from you anyway before you waste it on anger, resentment, spite or envy, think how precious and irreplaceable your story is. It is a proof that God can deliver anyone from any type of sinful nature. We all have a story, be transparent and point to the cross.
Testify about the goodness of the Lord in your Life. It is more powerful than you could possibly imagine. God will release every held back blessing that you and your children have been waiting for. “Whoever believes in a Son of God has the testimony in himself” (1 John 5:10)
Never be intimidated by your audience. You cannot let people scare you all the time. You cannot be worrying about what everyone else is going to think. You cannot please everyone. Whether it is your hair, clothes, what you have to say, how you feel, what you believe or what you have. Do not let the judgement of others stop you from being you because if you do, you are no longer you. You are someone everyone else wants you to be. So, be what God has created you to be and continue doing His will all the time. For, “Iam sure that the good work God began in you will continue until he completes it on the day when Jesus Christ comes again.” (Philippians 1:6).
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Let us pray:
