October 27th, 2022
Thursday, October 27
A Friend Who’ll Help You Be Wise
By: Lori Ennis
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25
Several years ago, I ran an online publication I’d helped start. It got pretty big, and I had several writers working for me. A varied group of people, we all had different perspectives and ideas. Some I was more fond of than others, and some writers I felt closer to than others.
In a back-and-forth message with one I felt closer to, without naming another who was frustrating me, I commented how they were irritating me. Thinking she’d join me in my frustration, she instead responded, “Lori. If this is how you talk about her, I would hate to know what you say about me.”
Ouch.
I was caught in gossip, by a friend I really admired and held in high regard. I was embarrassed and convicted.
You see, she held me accountable.
She and I were both of similar faith backgrounds, and she knew I was not behaving very Jesus-like. More, she loved me enough to tell me so.
Accountability is not just you telling someone where you’ve gone wrong or confessing your failings to another, though that’s certainly important.
It’s about having someone hold you accountable–a Godly friend who loves you enough to be honest with you, even if it could be awkward.
Accountability is one of the best parts of a true friendship because it is built on the trust that you’re spurring each other on toward love and good deeds, and you’re honest enough to convict without worrying about ending the friendship.
The correction may hurt; it’s not fun to have your friend show you where you’re not the Christian you should be.
But ultimately, it’s for your own good–to help you be the person God created you to be and to do all things for the glory of the Lord.
Find those friends, and hold on tight to them! If you listen to their advice and accept their discipline, you’ll surely be counted among the wise! (Proverbs 19:20)
A Friend Who’ll Help You Be Wise
By: Lori Ennis
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25
Several years ago, I ran an online publication I’d helped start. It got pretty big, and I had several writers working for me. A varied group of people, we all had different perspectives and ideas. Some I was more fond of than others, and some writers I felt closer to than others.
In a back-and-forth message with one I felt closer to, without naming another who was frustrating me, I commented how they were irritating me. Thinking she’d join me in my frustration, she instead responded, “Lori. If this is how you talk about her, I would hate to know what you say about me.”
Ouch.
I was caught in gossip, by a friend I really admired and held in high regard. I was embarrassed and convicted.
You see, she held me accountable.
She and I were both of similar faith backgrounds, and she knew I was not behaving very Jesus-like. More, she loved me enough to tell me so.
Accountability is not just you telling someone where you’ve gone wrong or confessing your failings to another, though that’s certainly important.
It’s about having someone hold you accountable–a Godly friend who loves you enough to be honest with you, even if it could be awkward.
Accountability is one of the best parts of a true friendship because it is built on the trust that you’re spurring each other on toward love and good deeds, and you’re honest enough to convict without worrying about ending the friendship.
The correction may hurt; it’s not fun to have your friend show you where you’re not the Christian you should be.
But ultimately, it’s for your own good–to help you be the person God created you to be and to do all things for the glory of the Lord.
Find those friends, and hold on tight to them! If you listen to their advice and accept their discipline, you’ll surely be counted among the wise! (Proverbs 19:20)
Posted in Living in Wisdom
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