Information Related to "Choosing Your Friends"
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You can't pick your brothers and sisters. You inherit
them, and hopefully grow to love and appreciate them. Sadly, many brothers
and sisters, through competition and struggle, lose the great joy God
intended. As the proverb suggests, some only discover the love and closeness
of their closest kin when the chips are down.
Do you have a best friend? Would you like to have a soul mate to
confide in and grow close to by sharing your thoughts and feelings? Most
young people move in and out of many superficial relationships trying not
to be dumped, hurt, ridiculed or ostracized. There are many trivial reasons
why people turn on others in our society. When values become focused on things rather
than people, it is easy to run over the feelings of others in order to
attract the fleeting eye of those judged to be "cool." These shallow relationships
are like the early morning fog that dissipates as the day goes on.
The purpose of this article is to help you discover the joy of a good friend, perhaps even a best friend. There are several important ground rules when picking and developing a relationship with others. Let me suggest a few guidelines:
Pick those who have the same values (or who at least don't trash those things that are important to you). The Scriptures give timeless insight into the dynamics of relationships. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:33, "Do not be deceived: 'Evil company corrupts good habits.'"
If you run with the turkeys, you will not soar with the eagles. Perhaps the single most powerful reason for doing what you know is not right is peer pressure. It is a rare and determined person who doesn't bend, at least part of the time, to the taunts and expectations of the crowd. Determine now to be your own person and pick those who will respect you for that! (For more information about this important subject be sure to read our article in this issue titled, "Rise Above Peer Pressure").
Related Information on UCG Sites:
Table of Contents that includes "Choosing Your Friends"
Other Articles by Larry Greider
Friendship: