Keep Your Friends Close by Trisha Sharp
Talkin' Turkey w/High Tide Country Radio Station (www.hightidecountry.net)
& Spreaker (www.spreaker.com)
Trisha Sharp 07 January 2023
Keep Your Friends Close
I don’t have many friends, but I truly cherish the ones that I do have. I don’t get to see them often, but that doesn’t mean that I love them any less. I also truly believe that God is protecting me by helping me choose the right kind of friends. People that have similar goals and beliefs. People that I can trust to be there for me should there ever come a need, but would also allow me to be there for them. Before becoming friends with these ladies, I couldn’t say that I had quality friendships in my life. I actually developed a friendship with my momma. Getting close to her taught me not only that you could be friends with a parent, but she showed me what kind of things to look for in a friend. But you know what? Because of my past experiences, I wasn’t even looking for friends, other than my momma, when I found them. God was watching out for me though. He brought the right people into my life when I needed them most, even when I thought otherwise. You’ve heard it said, “Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.” Well here’s what God’s Word has to say about friends…
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up”
“The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray” (Proverbs 12:26).
“Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble” (Proverbs 13:20).
“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24).
“Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared” (Proverbs 22:24-25).
But God’s Word also has things to say about choosing the wrong kind of friends.
“I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people” (1 Corinthians 5:11).
“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character’” (1 Corinthians 15:33).
Everything in your life, and I do me EVERYTHING, influences you in good ways and in bad. This includes the people that you choose to have in your life even momentarily. Choose people that have a like minded character. Also, keep in mind how being around a person makes you feel about yourself. If that person makes you feel bad about yourself, run for the hills. If you feels love, encouragement, joy, inspired, and motivated, then stay put. You finally have some real friends.
I love you! God Loves You!! Jesus Loves You!!!
