Once upon a time there were two friends. They loved meeting together, doing hobbies together, and doing activities with others. As happens in life, one or the other would have a major life stressor. They would get through it, but communication of needs and fears was inadequate. Like usually happens, they did not address the small issues which then grew into more serious issues. The friendship continued but each took the other for granted. Effective communication ceased. Then things grew bad. Secretiveness set in. New outside friendships were cultivated without any transparency or openness. The old friend felt rejected because of the lack of communication. Much hurt and brokenness resulted. Finally the friends realized the hurtfulness of their behaviors. They sat down and talked about their troubles. They were reconciled but made some adjustments in their behaviors and communication. And everyone lived happily ever after.
If only life was that easy. The fluidity of friendships is somewhat natural. We form friendships based on locale, activities of our families, and on common interests. One or all of these reasons can change with time. That is natural. But why do we go about changing friends in a hurtful manner? Christians claim to follow God’s Word.
So why don’t we do what the Bible says to do?
“…'Love your neighbor as yourself.'” Matthew 22:39 NIV
“…but let us encourage one another…” Hebrews 10:25 NIV
Could the problem be that we are so entrenched in the ways of the world and in our own sin nature that we do not even stop to think about our own sin as it relates to the way we treat others?
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” Romans 12:2a NIV
Lord, show me how to treat others as you want me to treat them. Then through the power of the Holy Spirit working in my life, give me the strength and the ability to do the hard things.
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