The burden of friendship

Friends.... who comes to mind when you here the word friends.  Most of the time when you hear the word friend or ask someone to define friendship someone will say: someone who is dependable, common interest, etc.  Growing up I have heard these statements made about friendship "Your friendship is such a blessing in my life" "Friendship is so important to have!"  "BFF".....
Okay so are the statements true? Is friendship really a blessings?  Maybe it is a burden...

Why Friendships Are A Burden
1. You have to actually hear about other people's lives
2. You have to actually hang out with these people
3. You have to make sure you celebrate their birthday
4. You have to listen to them gab about all of the negative things about their day
5. You actually have to pick up your phone and text them

Man, these are heavy burdens to carry....................

Or are they Blessings?

Recently I have noticed people treating friendship as a burden instead of a blessing.  It is so frustrating!! I get so mad to see people throw away such a precious gift that friendship is.  The excuses of business, the excuses of not being an initiator, the excuses of not texting back your friends is pitiful! Have you really come to the point where you are to busy to send a text to your friend, but you can post an instagram picture? Really....?? If this is you... I challenge you to step back and think about what you are doing... you are throwing away some precious gifts, they are called FRIENDS!

The Lord created friendship to be such a blessing.

Proverbs 20:6
Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable? (NLT)
- Do you consider yourself loyal? When a friend is in trouble do you have their back?
Proverbs 17:17
A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. (NLT)
- When your friend is going through a hard time are you checking on them. A quick text, phone call, a coffee date would be such an encouragement to them.
Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. (NLT)
Friendships make you a better person. If you are investing your life in business and not investing any time in building friends how are you going to grow?

Ecclesiastes 4:9–12
Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. (NLT)

I LOVE THIS VERSE!!! TWO IS BETTER THAN ONE! I hope your getting my point. Friendship is such a blessing and life is not complete with out having good friends. If you have been a bad friend own up to it and start trying to change your ways. Instead of treating your friends like a burden, treat them like gold! When you go through hard times you will need them, when you have an awesome accomplishment you will want them their celebrating with you. If you expect your friends to make time for you, or help you in a time of need, treat them like they treat you. Friendships are valuable and to throw friendships away because your to lazy to invest in the friendship is wrong and is not of Christ.

I challenge you this week to pick up the phone and schedule a coffee date, or call a friend and ask how their life is going! I promise you won't regret it!!!

Come on TRUE FRIENDS STAND UP AND BE A FRIEND!!!!!!!!!

xoxo
- BEC