Do you have "bad-weather" friends?


Proverbs 12:26--Do you have dear, righteous friends? Friends whom you trust in bad AND good times? Cherish them.

Are you struggling with some friends who, at times, don't behave in a friendly manner?

There's an interesting phenomenon with some "friends" who are there for you in bad times. They're ready with advice and a willing ear. They may cry with you and hold your hand in trying situations.

But, when times are good, when you have breakthroughs and want to share what GOD is doing that's good in your life, they seem to disappear. Or worse, they bring you down.

Some souls are friends for a season. GOD brings them for such a time as we need their help and wisdom. Then they move on in an amicable fashion. Those are not the friends of which I speak.

I call the other types BAD-WEATHER and DANGEROUS BAD-WEATHER friends.

The bad-weather friend only feels needed and useful when we're suffering. Their need to be needed manifests in not so helpful ways. They can be enablers that guide us away from seeking the LORD on our own. In fact, they want to be the voice of GOD in our lives.

They don't like us having other friendships and will tend to criticize and undermine other people's motives.

Then there's the dangerous bad-weather friend. They do all these things but will also sabotage the positive things in our life--especially where it concerns our families.

For example: If we're having problems with our spouses, they are a willing ear and will sympathize, but they won't help us work toward a compromise or win-win restoration. They will feed us things like: "You have a right to not forgive." Or "Don't give in." Or worse yet "You are probably better off without them."

They discourage restoration and forgiveness. They lead us away from GOD's way of freedom.

If we have those bad-weather friends, seek the LORD how to untangle ourselves from the relationship. Find a wise counselor within your congregation and make sure they know what is going on.

It won't be easy, but once you're free it will open the door to finding healthy, Godly relationships. When you're free from these "friends" who lead us astray, you'll feel a burden lift you didn't know you carried.

May we find and cherish righteous friends, my friends.

Proverbs 12:26--The righteous gives his friend guidance, but the way of the wicked leads astray. Tree of Life Bible Society Tree of Life Version - TLV#tlvbible #tlvproverbs

[WATCH Tree of Life Bible Society's CEO, Daniah Greenberg and me, Terri Gillespie dig a little deeper with this proverb. Check us out at Tree of Life Bible Society, Monday through Friday, LIVE at 8:30am EST. Watch previous episodes there as well. Stay wise, my friends!]

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