April 2016 – MCGONZAGA

On my previous blog, I wrote about relationships and how they aren’t disposable. I shared about how my friends and I overcame the challenges and how to stand firm in saying “no” to disposable relationships. These are the friends I found in church who are truly for keeps. They have been a blessing and indeed, as described in Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” That is why I truly value them.

Now, let’s talk about the people who we allow to influence us . Among the key relationships within our circles, Identify among them who you need to move to your outer circle of influence or totally disconnect with, due to it’s unhealthy influence in us. The Bible warns us about that in 1 corinthians 15:33, It says;

Let me share with you other versions to help us better understand it.

Spot on these quote…

People who we choose as friends are the people who we allow to have influence in our lives. The bible says in Proverbs 12:26 The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

We need friends that point us back to God in whatever situations, Who are honest and sincere to point out our shortcoming, mistake and sin and walk with us in our faith and vision in in life. However we do not completely dispose those who we feel that brings us aways from God’s purpose,but leave enough space to keep the line open for us to share the gospel and minister to, and even have them in our prayers.

Here are a few questions to ponder on our current relationship that we allow to influence us most?

Are my friends empowering me to live a Godly life?
Are my friends pushing me to go deeper in my intimacy with God?
Are my friends building up my character and faith in God?
Are my friends tolerating me in my worldly and ungodly ways?
Do they speak the truth? and choose not to please me?

We need Godly men and women in our lives, that will help us grow deeper in our faith and relationship with Jesus. People whom we keep close to our hearts that remind of faith, vision and direction in life. People who stand along with us in our journeys and battles.

Dispose the disposables! I was laughing out loud upon hearing these words from a friend during an evening of coffee and catching up. We weren’t talking about some used styro cup or trash. We were talking about those people who’s been missing out on our hangouts for various reasons. They have been my good friends for about 9 years now. Would I dispose good friends just because of a bad incident, disappointments, or change in belief?

Definitely not! No matter what comes our the way–offenses and hurts, misunderstandings, or betrayals–we will not allow ourselves to become a victim of frustrations, bitterness and unforgiveness. Our hashtag has always been #NoToDisposableRelationships. The journey to this friendship has not been easy and has been and is filled with challenges. Some choose to walk away, some choose to stay despite offense and hurts.

To say NO TO DISPOSABLE RELATIONSHIPS, we had to:

Swallow our pride and humble ourselves
Forgive and let God do the work
Acknowledge our mistakes and say sorry
Stand for God’s truth and set aside our personal emotions
Accept and love people for who they are, as God accepts and loves them.
Be truthful always.

All these has brought us to greater maturity and deeper friendship. Through thick and thin, my friends are my chosen family. Personally I have been frustrated, disappointed, and corrected. But I’m glad it happened, because it developed me to be a better person and taught me how to handle relationships with the opposite sex.

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. – Proverbs 17:17 NIV

Let love be the only reason and motive in all things that you do, and be reminded of how God loved you first, never letting you go and never disposing you.

But here reason why you may consider disposing: Relationships | Why dispose?

Month: April 2016

Relationships | Why dispose?

Relationship | Is It Disposable?

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. – Proverbs 17:17 NIV