"Why Work At Friendship" by Debra Courtney

“Be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ” Ephesians 4:32

Why do you suppose Jesus emphasized forgiveness? Because he wanted us to be “nice”? Because he didn’t care about justice? Because he was naive about human evil and what we do to one another? Because “gentle Jesus, meek and mild” simply didn’t grasp the horror of injustice?

Forgiveness was the focal point of Christ’s teaching because he knew that without genuine profound and “to the bone” forgiveness, there is no freedom, no real joy, no peace and no release from the pain and the “root of bitterness” that destroys nations, families and individuals. He understood that the key to everything important in life is forgiveness.

Have you known someone who builds fast friendships but then moves on to another friend at the first sign of conflict or disagreement? We really don’t want to be that type person. Friendships can deepen through adversity, grow through pain, and flourish with forgiveness. Rather than abandon someone who has hurt us, we should explore if we can work through the issue.

Lasting friendships only happens with hard work. Because we are human, we are not perfect people, and that affects every area of life – including our friendships. Over time, any friendship will fall victim to disagreement, jealousy, misunderstandings, and inconsideration. While we or our friends may give in to these shortcomings, that doesn’t mean that friendship is failed and worthy of being terminated.

Sometimes lifelong friendships are born through tears of forgiveness.

Would you throw away a diamond because it pricked you? One good friend is not to be weighed against all the jewels of all the earth. If there is coolness or unkindness between us, let us come face to face and explore what it is. Quickly, before the friendship grows cold. Life is too short to quarrel in, or carry dark thoughts of friends. It is easy to lose a friend, but a new one will not come for calling, nor make up for the old one when she comes.

Some friendships come’s with pressure. Some friendships come’s on purpose. Be on the lookout for what friendships God places in your life and why they are there.

Debra’s life goal is to inspire and motivate women globally to become all they have been created and designed to be by using the guiding principles of their Creator’s word in gaining wisdom, understanding their designed-given personality identities & create their purpose!