[Ecclesiastes 4:9-12] “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. (10) For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. (11) Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? (12) And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken”.
Relationships are meant to build us up rather than tear us down. Relationships and friendship are meant to help us to recieve good rewards for our labour. Your friendships must catalyse your process of obtaining rewards, and not tear down what you are building. Connecting and networking with the right people brings increase to your life because of the following reasons;
1. Your friends lift and help you up when you fall:
They are not supposed to push you down. When you sin your friend must restore you and not endorse you. A good friend will point out to you that you are wrong but they will not give up on you. Beware of friends who endorse you when they know you are in sin; and also beware of friends who reject and give up on you when you sin. A friend must help you to stand up when you fall.
2. Your friends will give back to you, though they may take from you:
Friends sustain each other. You keep each other warm. They keep each other warm through synergy. Though no one may have enough heat to give, you can find warmth through synergy and infrared transmission. Beware of friends who depend on you but are never there for you. “When two lie together;” a friend is one who can lie with you. They can come to your level even if they cannot bring you up. Though a friend must lift his friend up, there are times when going down to bring you up is far easier than trying to bring you up.
[Proverbs 17:17] “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity”.
[Proverbs 27:17] “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend”.
A friend is one who gives back the same care, smile, response and goodness that you give. A friend deals equitably with you. Cut off people who don’t feed what feeds them.
3. Your friends reinforce you:
You should be yourself when you’re with friends, without being afraid. A threefold cord is not easily broken. Your true friends will stand by you. Beware of people who don’t stand by you. A friend is one who says by word and deed that when the storm hits, don’t be shaken, because they will be standing by you. Get rid of friends you can’t find when the night is dark.
4. Your friends will intercede for you:
Remember the man who went asking for bread for his friend?. Remember how Abigail interceded for Nabal? Abigail interceded for Nabal when David came after him. You must have that friend who stands in the gap for you. We all need that friend.
God created us as social beings and as we relate, we must be built up and not torn down. It is, however, better to be alone than to be with toxic friends. May the Lord take you from solitary and set you in a family. You will never be alone, you must be bold and get rid of toxic friends. There are some friends who drain you of so much energy. This is the time to boldly get rid of such toxic relationships. I love you;
Stay blessed!
Prophet Noah Bediako
