Times Of Swaziland: WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS

WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS
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Editor on 12/06/2019 08:16:00


Sir,
Friendship is a deep interpersonal relationship between two people that is
characterised by trust, honesty, communication and caring. It is wise and
important for every person to have at least one close friend. We are created to
be interdependent upon each other and friendship is a means where our need for
interdependence is achieved. The connection we experience in friendships
provides us with needed strength. Eccl. 4: 9-12 says two are better than one;
because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will
lift up his fellow: but woe unto him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath
not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat; but
how can one be warm alone? And if one prevails against him, two shall withstand
him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Friends
True friends provide counsel; they tell you what you need to hear and not what
you want to hear.  A true friend would rather hurt your feelings with words of
wisdom than see you take pleasure in flattery. To a true friend, your overall
well-being means more to them than your temporary crushed ego. Not having a
friend to tell you the truth about yourself is like dressing every morning and
never looking in the mirror. There is no reflection of your true self.
Plot
However, some friends come to help you roll your boat so you can sail to your
destination, while others drill holes under your boat so you can sink. Some
friends come to plant good seeds in you, while others dig out the good seeds you
have planted. Good friends plants with you, bad friends plot against you. Good
friends laugh with you, bad friends laugh at you. Good friends clean your mess,
bad friends mess you up. The kinds of people you move with determine your speed
in life. A bad friend will play you, delay you and decay you. Water is stagnant
not because it doesn’t have the ability to flow, but because of the company it
keeps. A good friend is one who helps you progress not the one who helps you
retrogress.