People Who Need To Go

Friendships. We depend on them to get us through hard times. When we need a laugh or a shoulder to cry on, we contact our friends.

Then we become a Christian. And some of those friendships disappear either because we are moving forward into our next walk of life, these friends no longer want to be around, or they turn out to be not such good friends. New Christians realize that some of their so-called friends can be very cruel and will try to pull them from their faith.

We sometimes need to take a step back from those who berate us, put us down, and constantly remind us where we came from. God always has a plan for the people he puts in your life. He also has a reason for taking some away.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 tells us we should  … encourage one another and build one another up… Whether we are new Christians or have been a believer for a while, we need to be around others who build us up, not tear us down. That is why at times, you must move away from those friends of your past and develop new friendships for your future.

It’s hard to move on. Some of these people we care for are family. But if you have someone toxic in your life, trying to take you away from Jesus, the best thing you can do is build a moat around yourself so they cannot get through.

People who discourage others do so to make themselves feel better. They want others to feel as bad as they do. You need to avoid these people. Pray for them, but don’t allow their attitude to infiltrate you.

Successful people hang with others who build them up. I’m not talking about their mothers who constantly tell them they can be the next American Idol, especially if they can’t sing. But there are people who can not only encourage, but give constructive criticism without hurting. They go after your actions, not you personally.

People who constantly knock you down do so by going after the person, not the action. They know the best way to keep you from moving forward is to make you think you are not worthy.

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Let no feeling of discouragement prey upon you, and in the end you are sure to succeed. – Abraham Lincoln

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The more friends you have who encourage you, the better. This isn’t just for your walk with Jesus, but in all areas of your life. You cannot succeed at anything if the only people you are around constantly berate or discourage you.

So find wise, encouraging friends who will build you up instead of tear you down. It’s always better to have a pat on the back instead of a punch in the gut.

If you or someone you know are in need of prayer this week, please let us know. We’d be more than happy to pray for you.

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