Troubled Friendships

Second to God, friends are

A believer's most valuable assets.

Companions provide a

Listening ear for our troubles,

Support for our dreams,

And a safety net when we fall.

Our friends also give us love,

Even when we are unlovable.

Inevitably, though, some of

These important relationships will go

Through troubled periods.

If the friendship is worth preserving a

Solution should be sought

Through the following steps:

Address the situation.

Acknowledge to your friend

That something is amiss

And needs to be fixed.

Determine the problem.

Together, discuss where the relationship

Veered off course and what wrongs

May have been spoken or committed.

Apologize.

As believers and friends,

We accept responsibility for our

Actions and seek forgiveness.

Refuse to blame.

In addition we must

Avoid defending ourselves.

There could be a temptation to

Argue over who did what:

However, the goal is not proving

Who is right but saving the friendship.

Begin repairs.

Ask, "What can I do to

Rebuild our closeness?"

The key here is to do willingly

Whatever is requested.

Commit to rebuilding.

Immediately start investing

Your time energy,

And love in restoring the friendship.



In order to have the blessing of a good friend

Who loves us, we must be willing to pay

The high price of patching up a relationship.

Walking away might seem easier

But in the long run ..

We would lose a valuable treasure



RAGHAVAREDDY