Words Of Encouragement To Start The Day (Monday 02/07/2011)

Today’s Devotional Written By Mrs. Tracy A Dixon, extraordinaire 

Friend or Frenemy?

Proverbs 27:5-6 (New Living Translation)

 5 An open rebuke is better than hidden love!

 6 Wounds from a sincere friend are

 better than many kisses from an enemy.

            Today's message in the music comes from TLC's song "What About Your Friends". The chorus of the song says: What about your friends? Will they stand their ground? Will they let you down again? What about your friends are they gonna be low down? Will they ever be around or will they turn their backs on you?

            This past week, because of our Bible Study message- -10 blessing blockers- -I've been emailing and calling people to either ask for forgiveness or to give it. Not because the other person or myself deserved it, but because God requires it. In the midst of the process a lot of painful memories were recalled. A lot of great friendships destroyed were remembered. A lot of kingdom relationships ended because of too much pride. Well, there was one relationship that God put on my list that threw me.

            This was a person I confided almost everything in. This was a person whom I'd lay down my life for. This was a person I depended on and tried my best to give them all I could. How could I need to forgive or have a need for forgiveness? This is a person I speak to almost every single day. When something goes wrong, this is the person I call. When something goes extremely great, this is the person I want to tell first, outside of my marriage.

            And then it hit me. This person is my friend. More than just for lip service. Through good, bad and misunderstandings, our relationship has weathered the storms. Through attitudes, arguments and anger- - - -one crisis, one problem, one attack would bring us right back together. Through not speaking and trying to prove points, I never doubted this person would be there, and vice versa. Not in the sense of taking advantage of this person's presence in my life, but because of our track recorded.

            So many times we waste years trying to force connections with people God has no intentions to be in our lives. Other times we try so hard to disconnect from those who are right where they are supposed to be, only to find that our best efforts aren't enough to abort what God has put together. God is getting ready to truly blow some people up, so make sure those closest to you will celebrate with you and for you. Make sure you are not wasting energy on people who will help knock you down, then participate in holding you there. Let God restore your heart, renew your mind and revamp your circle. Who needs friends? We all do, just need to get rid of the undercovers!!!