Friendship is more than a bond

Friendship is more than a bond; it’s a reflection of who we are within. This piece is a heartfelt reminder to pause, reflect, and rediscover what true friendship really means.

WHO IS YOUR FRIEND?

I would like to share from my own life how this question has defined me and sometimes redefined me.

“Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”
— John 15:13–15

As much as our God is the King of Kings, He calls us His friends.

The relationship we have with ourselves and with God greatly defines the kind of friendship we have with others.

I am sick and tired of watching people who call themselves friends yet display these qualities:

1. Being jealous when their friend rises above them in life.

2. Unable to motivate, encourage, or even sincerely appreciate them.

3. Considering it their right to discuss secrets shared in confidence.

4. Gossiping behind their back.

5. Not being available when the friend is in real need.

What Do We Do When We Are Friends With Someone?

A genuine friend cares for us, corrects us when we go astray, encourages us, listens to our feelings without judgment, and may even lay down their life for us.

We share our deepest secrets with a true friend. In the same way, we should be able to share the depth of love and friendship without any kind of bias.

Can you truly call someone a friend if you are not in touch with them or not bothered about them?

When we love our friends, we long to talk to them, share our day, vent to them, feel happy to see their face, and most importantly,love spending time with them.

My Question to All of Us Today

Do we spend enough time with our greatest Friend,sharing our feelings, talking to Him, and truly calling Him our Friend?

We cannot be called a friend if we keep doing the opposite of our Friend’s goodwill.

And if you feel you have lost some good friends over the years, it’s not too late. Pick up the phone and speak to them.

Friendship Isn’t About Impressing

In our normal standards, we often think we need to earn someone’s friendship or attention by impressing them. The truth is, a true friend is waiting for us to be ourselves ..in our raw and vulnerable version.. a loyal friend they can count on.

It’s time to ponder. Let’s dedicate our hearts to spending more time with people who edify us, and let’s give back by being a value in their lives, in whatever small ways we can.

If you wonder why you keep losing some friends, maybe it’s your patterns. The beauty of life is that we have tools that can guide us.

In NLP, I learned many patterns that were stopping me personally from living my best life. The simplest one is called pattern interruption, which means suddenly changing the direction of your thoughts or conversation when negativity begins to rise.

When your mind is sinking in negativity, or when there’s a heated conversation, being aware and parking it aside, talking about something else and coming back to it later,gives both people the space to regulate their emotions.

It works like a charm, especially in friendships. But for that, both must be aware of why they do it and use the tools of NLP with full understanding.

May God bless us.