THE IMPORTANCE OF RELATIONSHIPS

I am, once again, posting a devotional from THE WORD FOR YOU TODAY.

"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17 NIV

"Solid relationships keep us grounded and accountable. If we start to get off course they help keep us on track. So who are the significant people in your life, the ones you spend the most time with, the ones whose opinions really matter to you? These people are your greatest influencers. The question is, how are they influencing you. To know the answer, ask yourself the following questions.

1. What does he/she bring out of me? Author William Alan Ward remarked, "A true friend knows your weaknesses, but shows you your strengths. Feels your fears, but fortifies your faith. Sees your anxieties, but frees your spirit. Recognizes your disabilities, but emphasizes your faith.

2. What does he/she think of me? People tend to become what the most important person in their lives believes they can be. Indeed, that's what our children grow up to be! We embrace the opinions of those we respect.

3. What does he/she think of my future? Paul tells Timothy, "Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young" (1 Timothy 4:12 NLT) Do the most important people in your life understand God's plan for you? Do they help or hinder you?

4. How does he/she behave toward me in difficult times? The solid relationships in your life are those who are slow to suspect, but quick to trust. Slow to condemn, but quick to justify. Slow to offend, but quick to defend. Slow to expose, but quick to shield. Slow to reprimand, but quick to forbear. Slow to belittle, but quick to appreciate. Slow to demand, but quick to give. Slow to provoke, but quick to help. Slow to resent, but quick to forgive."

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This truly is the kind of friends we need to surround ourselves with.

More importantly, this is the kind of friend I hope and need to be!!!