Julie Chapus's Blog - Posts Tagged "seperation"
Friends are Forever
After having a wonderful conversation with a good friend last night, I was left with the question, "What makes a good friend?"
People in our lives come and go. We have friends for a short time, and some for the longer haul. We have friends to hang out with, friends to comfort and share things with, and friends to just let loose with. All of these types of friends are good in their own right.
But what makes a good friend? I learned last night.
My friend and I were separated by God. He called her into service away from me. I was headed in my calling while she was headed into hers. We had to separate for a time. She obeyed God, although I didn't understand the need for her to be pulled away.
Her obedience to God by backing off of our friendship helped me to grow in ways that would have never been possible, had she been right there for me to turn to.
See, I needed to learn and grow with God, and learn not to turn to someone else for guidance and direction. I needed Him, but as long as she was there I would go to her not Him. He knew this, but I wasn't aware. So by being pulled away from our friendship, she was being an excellent friend to me.
Although it hurt, I now know a good friend will always obey God and turn away from us if it's the best thing for us. A good friend wants to see us grow, and be healthy. But even more a good friend wants us going to God because they know they will not be there forever. They know God will always be there forever and ever, no matter what. A good friend will do what they need to do selflessly even if it means they get hurt too, just to see us in a better place. A good friend will even walk away if they know it's best for us.
If you are in a situation right now that feels enmeshed and if you know the relationship is unhealthy the following prayer may help.
Dear God, please help me turn to you and not someone else for the answers only you can give. Help me turn wholeheartedly to you, God. I know you already have solutions to every situation in my life. Thank you God for always leading, guiding, and directing my steps. Thank you for removing anything from me even my friends, if it means I will take my eyes off you. And thank you for giving us good friends that point the way to you. Amen.
People in our lives come and go. We have friends for a short time, and some for the longer haul. We have friends to hang out with, friends to comfort and share things with, and friends to just let loose with. All of these types of friends are good in their own right.
But what makes a good friend? I learned last night.
My friend and I were separated by God. He called her into service away from me. I was headed in my calling while she was headed into hers. We had to separate for a time. She obeyed God, although I didn't understand the need for her to be pulled away.
Her obedience to God by backing off of our friendship helped me to grow in ways that would have never been possible, had she been right there for me to turn to.
See, I needed to learn and grow with God, and learn not to turn to someone else for guidance and direction. I needed Him, but as long as she was there I would go to her not Him. He knew this, but I wasn't aware. So by being pulled away from our friendship, she was being an excellent friend to me.
Although it hurt, I now know a good friend will always obey God and turn away from us if it's the best thing for us. A good friend wants to see us grow, and be healthy. But even more a good friend wants us going to God because they know they will not be there forever. They know God will always be there forever and ever, no matter what. A good friend will do what they need to do selflessly even if it means they get hurt too, just to see us in a better place. A good friend will even walk away if they know it's best for us.
If you are in a situation right now that feels enmeshed and if you know the relationship is unhealthy the following prayer may help.
Dear God, please help me turn to you and not someone else for the answers only you can give. Help me turn wholeheartedly to you, God. I know you already have solutions to every situation in my life. Thank you God for always leading, guiding, and directing my steps. Thank you for removing anything from me even my friends, if it means I will take my eyes off you. And thank you for giving us good friends that point the way to you. Amen.
