Inner Fire Ministries

Dear Women-

I read a passage that got me seriously thinking…more than usual:

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (New International Version)

⁹ Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:
¹⁰ If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!
I started thinking about what a true friend is for me when it comes to my girlfriends…and it may be different for you.
So… What I need in a friend, primarily is:
COMPASSION- not correction or criticism.  (The last 2 absolutely drain and deflate me-especially when it is done in word.)
Compassion expressed through “WORDS OF LIFE” are SO uplifting to me.
Encouraging words to build my strengths-not correcting words to fix my weaknesses. You can do it vs. you should or shouldn’t do…

Telling me what I’ve done right, not pointing out what is done wrong or needs improvement. (correcting words).  Please be reassured that the Holy Spirit is very good at his job of conviction and I only need one Holy Spirit!!  (He also speaks regularly thru my husband and kids.)

Another thought:

There are days when I feel the verse goes like this:
If one falls down, his friend pushes him down a little further...(either thru doing or saying nothing OR by saying fixing words.)
This person is to be pitied too!  I hope to never push you down-either directly or indirectly.  Please forgive me if I have….and I mean this from my heart!

Next- not primary, but also important to me in a friend, 3 things:
Someone who is consistent–thru a call or email, just checking in… consistently.  Someone who cares about me, not just what I’m doing or not doing.

Second, someone who really does pray for me. I need prayers to become more like Jesus!!

One other thing–I need real…someone who is willing to be OK with process, mistakes and real life.  Someone who will enter into the ups and the downs with me.  Someone who has realistic expectations so I don’t feel pressure to be someone I’m not, or do something that isn’t me (= performance). Someone I feel safe with, to …just… be… me.   Aaaaaah!  Now that’s a good feeling!!
SO to sum it up for me:
I need:  Compassion, Consistency, Prayer and Real!

I truly pray our love increases and overflows for one another!!

1 Thessalonians 3:12
May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.
Amen!!

With true love and friendship,
Susan

Posted: September 22nd, 2009 under Uncategorized.
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