Friendship

If you've ever been deeply hurt (maybe even repeatedly) by "friends", then you know the fear that can overcome you regarding forming new friendships. This fear can bring about loneliness. Friendships are important to our lives. I have gone many years without any female friends due to being deeply hurt. The enemy wants to separate and place us in a state of fear and disconnection. This is a trap and if we think we are protecting ourselves by our self-imposed seclusion, we are buying the lies the devil is selling.

I stepped out again (last year) and created a friendship with someone I met at work. Wouldn't you know that she ended up betraying me and trying to take my job? I can look back now and laugh......because it did not defeat me. I am so grateful I had a relationship with the one friend who will never leave...the best friend....Jesus. He was there for me and helped me to get back up and brush off the hurt and keep on reaching out. I was able to see that this was a desperate attempt by the enemy to derail me from the path that I was heading down. A path that the Lord was leading me down. The attempts to derail me were futile because He who is in me is much greater than he who is in the world!

All during that time, I was praying for Godly friendships. I have developed a couple of them since my experience last year. I also still pray for the Lord to place friends in my life that He wants to be there. Also for me to do my part. I do have to do something! I can't just pray for friendships and then hide out in my home or under the deception of being "too busy". Will I get hurt again? Sure will....that is a guarantee. Any friends I make are flesh and blood, however so am I.

I'm about to take another step along the path of cultivating friendships. God has answered a prayer of mine to find a women's Bible study group. I stumbled across a flyer when at the doctors office last week getting my flu shot. I have a phone number to the local branch of Stonecroft Ministries. http://stonecroft.gospelcom.net/ (their online site) I'm going to call and join a group.

My gut level fleshly reaction is to put it off....see that old fear will try to rear up again. However, I know I possess the Peace that passeth ALL UNDERSTANDING. That is peace that is not from the world, but from Christ Himself. I have that peace within me and it will guide me.

Don't let fear hold you back from life. From your destiny. Step out. You will get hurt. However the greater tragedy is to not follow the path that God has laid out for you. If you don't have Jesus in your life, invite Him in. Don't know how? Ask a Christian friend or pastor. Ask me. Reach out.....we all have to do our part. No excuses. No fear.