Changing Friendships

Broken relationships are always hard. They are hard when others are dragged through the awkwardness and are caught up in gossip causing divisions. Ties are broken when gossip runs wild and sets a life on a different path. Severed relationships result and remain, and a whole lot of damage is done. And, at times, the destruction gossip causes leaves relationships broken for years and years. These are the kind of breaks we do not want to be a part of. And, it is right that we are not. These are the ones we rush away from.

Another break in a relationship is caused by being drawn to different interests. There is a wide spectrum of reasons for friendships to fade. These are not malicious ending of relationships. Often we miss those involved, however, life has moved on, and so have they. Willingness to continue with their friendship becomes a caring gesture, and not a demanding one. We trust God and His provision of our friends, and we trust Him to provide good and faithful friends for our former ones too. We accept His sovereignty and leading. And we rejoice.

An ending of a relationship when it is a changing one can be both positive and negative. It is a relationship break when negative, and an embracing of God’s goodness and faithfulness when positive. We call it a negative break when the change is due immorality, sinful behaviors and poor choices. And, it is positive one when the change we see and experience is the result of growth – spiritual growth. Often God moves maturing believers away from us, so that they can now influence others. He strengthens them, and then sends them out. This is the category those whom we counsel fall under. When they have changed and grown into strong mature believers it brings a change to our relationship with them. It is time to allow them to step aside and continue growing with others in their fellowship. This is a good breaking of relationship, a joyous one.

God has been honored, is honored, and blessings abound. He is faithful!

• I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:1-2).

• We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified (Romans 8:28-30).

#friend #change