{"id":577,"date":"2023-01-14T04:30:45","date_gmt":"2023-01-14T04:30:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staceypardoe.com\/BekahPardoe\/?p=577"},"modified":"2022-12-11T20:27:46","modified_gmt":"2022-12-11T20:27:46","slug":"how-to-be-a-good-friend","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staceypardoe.com\/BekahPardoe\/how-to-be-a-good-friend\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Be a Good Friend"},"content":{"rendered":"

Do you want to know how to be a good friend to the people God has placed in your life?\u00a0 Being a good friend isn’t about being perfect.\u00a0 Let’s talk about one simple way to be a good friend today.<\/em><\/p>\n

How to Be a Good Friend<\/h3>\n

Love does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.<\/em><\/p>\n

1 Corinthians 13:5<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mom\u2019s Thoughts on How to Be a Good Friend:<\/h4>\n

Do you have a friend who always seems to be mad at you?\u00a0 She might constantly tell you that you hurt her feelings or complain that you never have time for her.\u00a0 She gets jealous when you spend time with other friends, and you feel like you have to walk on eggshells when you\u2019re with her.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, maybe you frequently confront your friends for hurting your feelings.\u00a0 You might feel jealous when your closest friend hangs out with her other friends.\u00a0 Maybe you feel like you put all the work into a certain friendship, and you often feel upset because your friend doesn\u2019t reach out to you in the same way.<\/p>\n

Regardless of which scenario best describes you, let me share a powerful secret for healthy, thriving friendships: Hold your friends loosely.<\/p>\n

You can be a good friend by offering love, a listening ear, compassion, and a place for fun.\u00a0 You can also be a good friend by giving your friends space.<\/p>\n

Part of becoming mature is learning to extend grace and let it go when your friends fail to meet your expectations.\u00a0 Every hurt feeling doesn\u2019t have to become a hard conversation.\u00a0 Remind yourself that it\u2019s healthy for your friends to have a variety of different friends and ask God to help you overcome feelings of jealousy.\u00a0 Hold your friends loosely, and they will want to spend time with you.<\/p>\n

Girl to Girl (Bekah’s Thoughts):<\/h4>\n

My mom sometimes reminds me to hold my friends with an open hand.\u00a0 This is good advice for us all.<\/p>\n

You hold your friends with an open hand when you let them hang out with others and don\u2019t cause fights or create drama.\u00a0 You hold them with an open hand when you forgive them for letting you down.\u00a0 Everyone makes mistakes, and your friends will eventually let you down.\u00a0 Don\u2019t hold it against them.\u00a0 Instead, forgive them and move on.<\/p>\nEveryone makes mistakes, and your friends will eventually let you down. Don\u2019t hold it against them. Instead, forgive them and move on. #friendships #girltogirlbook <\/a><\/span>Share on X<\/a><\/span>\n

It\u2019s also important to remember that friendships change over time.\u00a0 You might be close with a certain friend one year, but the next year, you are in different classes and drift apart.\u00a0 That\u2019s okay.\u00a0 Drifting closer together and then farther apart is natural in all friendships.\u00a0 Keep your heart open as your friends flow in and out of your inner circle.<\/p>\n

Most importantly, give your friends space.\u00a0 Give them room to have other friends, change, and grow.\u00a0 Try not to become jealous when your friends spend time with others.\u00a0 It\u2019s okay to have a best friend, but try to remain open to having other friends as well.\u00a0 Friendships<\/a> are always healthiest when we hold them loosely.<\/p>\n

Talk About It:<\/h4>\n