The Friendship Killers

Bible Reading: Ephesians 4:31-32

Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32

FRIENDSHIPS ARE as easy to squash as bugs crawling on the sidewalk. If you want to make and keep friends, avoid these friendship killers:

Jealousy. Instead of envying your friend’s achievements and good fortune, why not celebrate them?

Gossip. It’s the teeter-totter principle: You try to lift yourself up by tearing others down. But sooner or later you end up splattered on the ground.

Disloyalty. You say you’re her friend — but you’ve been known to turn on her. Real friendship stays true at all times.

Competition. You and your friends aren’t running as competitors. Friends cheer each other on.

Negativism. Constant moaning leaves you minus your friends.

Comparison. If you compare yourself to your friends — trying to look better than them — you’re asking for friendship hassles.

Selfishness. Make time to serve your friend’s interests, not just your own.

Insecurity. This is a mammoth friendship stomper. It often sounds like this:

What if he doesn’t like me?
What if I say the wrong thing?
What if she laughs at me?
What if I do something dumb?

If you have ever had those negative thoughts tromp through your mind, you know that they keep you from going any deeper into a friendship. Why? They paralyze you. You can break loose from this paralysis by meeting your fears head on. Every time you catch yourself dwelling on a negative fear question, change it to a positive faith statement:

I know he will like me.
I am confident I will say the right thing.
She will accept me.
I will do something intelligent.

When you move out in faith instead of fear, you will be a quality friend.

REFLECT: Think about how you get along with the people around you. What bad habits get in the way of good friendships?

PRAY: Tell God you want to do friendship his way.