Why Friendship Is Worth the Risk

Part 1

January of 2014 – the month I resolved to share about walking through the grief of losing my best friend. Through that journey came a 4-week series titled, A Friend in Deed. The series can be found here.

My first blog series ever.

That series not only allowed me to share my struggle with you, but it was the springboard that launched me into a new writing adventure. Good friendships have a way of propelling us into pursuing our dreams.

Now 18 months later, I see articles about friendship everywhere. We even have new buzzwords for it in the blogging world.

Community.

Fellowship.

Sisterhood.

Why are women experiencing such a burden for community? Why are we daring to reach out to others and wanting to write about it?

Because we are finally figuring it out.

Friendship is more than love, acceptance, belonging. Friendship is our calling.

You see, without friendship, we live without the encouragement from someone who gets us. We live without the laughter that makes our cheeks hurt. We live without the tears that tell us tomorrow is worth the fight. And we need all those things to press on with God’s plan.

But friendship comes with risk. And to find out how rewarding friendship can be, we have to be willing to accept that risk.

Risk of loss.

Risk of rejection.

Risk of heartbreak.

As we journey through the month of May, I will be sharing three reasons why friendship is worth the risk. Won’t you join me?

Part 1: Friendship teaches us to receive.

I have a friend who is always offering to help me with…well…just about anything! As a grandmother with two spunky granddaughters and a full-time job, I can’t imagine why on earth she would want to devote time to helping me. But the reason is as simple as these three words.

She’s my friend.

Why is it so hard for us to receive help from others? Maybe we were taught to be strong, and accepting help would show weakness. Maybe we would feel like less of a person if we ask for help. Whatever the reason, receiving seems to be a challenge for many of us.

Friendship teaches us how to receive. As we receive, we allow others the opportunity to give. This welcomes God’s blessings into both of our lives.

“But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” Hebrews 13:16 NIV

I have no doubt that my friend will continue to have God’s blessings fill her life. And even though it may be hard for me to receive, it’s all part of His master plan. Then in turn, I can multiply that blessing by giving right back.

So the next time your friend offers to help you, say yes! Watch that friendship grow stronger as you allow yourself to receive. You will both be blessed abundantly for it.

Visit again next week to read Part 2 of Why Friendship Is Worth the Risk. For more encouragement, visit some of my favorite sites by clicking the buttons in the sidebar to the right!

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 NKJV

We just love this verse, don’t we?

In fact, if you ask most Christians to list their favorite verses, this one would top the list for many. It unleashes the conqueror in us. No feat is too big when we speak this verse!

However, sometimes I get so excited about it that I take the words out of context. Allow me to share a few real examples:

You need me to watch your four kids for the weekend while you and your husband attend a marriage retreat? No problem!

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

I should coach my son’s soccer team because no one else will volunteer? Sure!

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

You mean the children’s Sunday school teacher didn’t show up or call? I’ll teach the class today!

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

No one stayed to clean up after the fellowship dinner? Allow me!

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

The result? Burn out. Exhaustion. Illness. Bitterness.

Because 'I can do all things' doesn’t mean I should do everything all at once.

We often feel like we should be able to take on more and do more, because of the strength we have through Christ. Yes, God gives us supernatural strength through Jesus. But the purpose of this strength isn’t so we can overload our schedules trying to please others. The context of this verse gives us insight into its importance.

“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” Phil 4:11-12

In his letter to the church at Philippi, Paul explains his experience as a Christ follower. At times he had plenty, but at other times he suffered. Either way, he drew on the strength of Christ to see him through. So by the context of this powerful chapter, we see that all things simply means anything God asks us to do.

Paul was willing to enter any situation that would bring people closer to Christ. And with Jesus’ strength, Paul could endure. So, we can think of the verse this way:

“I can do anything God asks me to do through Christ who strengthens me.” (Tweet this.)

If you have occasionally recited this verse out of desperation when an overloaded schedule robbed you of your energy, find comfort in Paul’s lesson today. God doesn’t expect you to do everything all at once. He only asks that you obediently follow Him.

Now that’s reason to proclaim, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Kristine

Linking up this week with beautiful writers at the following places: #raralinkup, #intentionaltuesdays, #livefreethursdays, #dancewithjesusfridays. Visit the sites by clicking the buttons to the right.