FRIENEMIES

Photo by: Nisha Patel

“Friends mean well even if they hurt you. But when an enemy puts his arm around your shoulder—watch out.”

Proverbs 26:27

               

                Friends that seem to be enemies, Enemies that later on turn to friends or vice versa. Our friends and enemies are people who make or break us. In general, let's call them “frienemies.”

            
 It’s nothing but pure joy to be able share laughter with the people we meet, they eventually become our friends. It’s easy to laugh and be silly with them, do crazy things, go to malls, eat out with them, watch a movie and jokingly ridicule each other upfront. These are a lot of the good things we share with friends.

                However, there is also a saying that goes, “familiarity breeds contempt.” The more you get to familiarize a person, the more you discover their hidden and true colors. For sure, their agenda won’t be visible at first but as moments would pass by, you will realize whether your friend is worth calling a “friend.” The world is so full of uncertainty and we cannot avoid meeting people who take delight in the misery of others and people who have personal issues and channel their negative disposition to others.

                Guys, it’s not saying that we should all assume that everyone has a negative agenda against us, what we are trying to say is to look and discern. Real friends might say the most hurtful things to us upfront out of concern but in the end, they will remain and encourage us to better. Be careful of those who might say you’re doing okay, they might just want you to relax and instead not grow. And who knows? We ourselves might make an enemy in us.

                Still, people come in and out of our lives for a purpose, know who they are and what their intentions may be. Remember that in order to grow, keep away from toxicity.

PRAYER:

“Lord, Jesus, who made friends with sinners, cleanse our heart and our minds to have the right motives as we establish relationships with others. Make in me a mirror of you, so that people will see Your glory shine through me, make me an instrument of your peace and love, so that people will come to know and love you more as well. As I walk this journey and meet people, protect me from the ones who heed my failure, instead make me an agent of love to transform them to people who will help me grow. Help me become a blessing to them as they will be to me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”