Tips on Friendship Part 2

Ah. the wonderful world of relationships and friendships. I’ll be honest. I've had a thousand fights with my friends, but I've learned so much from them! Let me share some of these things so you don’t have to make the same mistakes I did. This is part two of the two-part post on friendship.

Tip Three:

Be deserving of your friends' trust. Once you lose it, it's hard to get back. Never ever tell your friend’s secrets unless they say you can. I learned this the hard way. I told a friend's secret and it spread. It always does! No matter how reliable you think the person you tell is, it ALWAYS spreads. (Sorry if that's a little dramatic but I needed that point to get across.) Also forgive. I know lots and lots of people who can’t forgive which just makes the fight longer and the damage more extreme. Jesus said to forgive over and over and over again and He was a smart guy. I suggest taking his advice.

Tip Four:

Be kind to everyone, but be careful. This one is important. Have you ever heard the term “cast a wide net”? If you haven’t, It means to be kind to everyone. Have acquaintances at school, soccer, basketball, dance, volleyball, etc. Yes, some people can seem horrible, but always remember, Jesus died for them too. You will lose friends. It's not a maybe, it's guaranteed. It's always smart to have other people you can fall back on if you're alone. I'm not saying be besties with everyone you meet, that's exhausting. Just be nice and make connections. You have to be careful, though. There are people out there who can drag you down and damage your faith. It even says in the Bible to not be yoked with unbelievers and that bad company corrupts good character. Find a group of good Christian friends to keep you grounded. Examine the people you're hanging with and check if you want to be like them. If not, be nice, but be alert. I could give plenty of examples of times people have become like their friends and not always for the better. If you're unsure, pray.

In conclusion, (yikes this is turning into an essay) be kind to everyone, don’t gossip, be loyal, forgive, be careful and above all else, do it God's way. God puts people into your life for a reason so go ahead and enjoy their company!