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Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Trustworthy Friends

There are people who are “always” right. And, sure we all think we’re right, otherwise we wouldn’t say anything. But some people need to let the whole world know that they are right, through gossip, destroying relationships, and hurting people. It’s upsetting to me, mostly because much of the book of 1 Corinthians is berating the Corinthians for the dissonance that is going on in their body and encouraging them to be unified. Unified in Christ.

So that is one type of person, but there is also another type of person. They make promises and keep them. They talk one way and do the same. They are trustworthy.

But how do we determine which someone is going to be. Are they going to be trustworthy or untrustworthy, faithful or unfaithful? Or how about yourself? Are you trustworthy? I personally struggle with being trustworthy, so it’s not as if I have this down.

Number one, just be trustworthy. It’s a personal branding. People will remember times that you weren’t trustworthy. They’ll remember when you failed them. And it takes a long time to forget. 

But how do we get to a point where we're trustworthy? Trustworthiness in general comes from having good character. It will give you the consistency that’s needed to be known as a trustworthy person.

Secondly, find people who are very loving. And I don’t mean some sort of gooshy love that does nothing. I mean people who are willing to give you tough love. They'll generally be the ones who call you to a higher standard. True friends will always try to move you forward and towards Christ.

Finally, you will just have to go through hell with people to truly know them. There are a few people I’ve read of, who met with a little dissonance around them and then either ran away or betrayed their friends, and maybe they were tortured or hurt, but it was a good lesson to me. There are great people out there during the good times, but when the going gets rough, they run away or betray their friends. And a lot of times, sadly you won’t know who your friend is until you go through a time like this with them.

That’s why most of the time your best friends will be your family. You’re forced to go through trials with your family and can’t just leave. You eventually learn to work things out. I hope someday we will have friendships that are similar to a strong family relationship. 

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." ~ John 15:12-13

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