ARTICLE:

THE COST OF FRIENDSHIP (for the feminine gender)

         

        I feel this article would be of more benefit to the ladies because most strings of friendship are pulled by them.They believe so much in friendships such that it is now proven to have a psychological effect on their well-being.Ecclesiastes.4:12 says;

though one may be overpowered,two can defend themselves.A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

           The emotional demands on women are immense and one of the ways that God uses to replenish them is through friendships.Many women are strongly of the opinion that the risks of keeping an intimate friendship outweighs the rewards.There is no love without risk.Every friendship must contain the element of risk if it is to grow and mature,reaching its full potential.Ruth was willing to stake her life and all that she had for her friendship with Naomi.Jesus Christ in John.15;13 describes the risks involved in true friendhip by a man laying down his life for his friends.When we lay down our lives,it means we stand the chance of getting hurt,misunderstood and sometimes mistreated.Sometimes we are made to realise that the beauty of friendship surpasses the pain they inflict thereby making some friends a sort of necessary evil.It would only be wise for us to occasionally treat our friends with courtesy and respect such that the wounds they inflict are few and hurt less.It becomes a fatal mistake for us to link our happiness to our friendships.We must take full responsibility for our moods,especially the effects of our friendships.It is very normal for people to hurt,wound and occasionally make us feel bad but still we still attach so much im portance to their presence in our lives.Depending on a friend to make us happy sets thast friend up failure and positions that friendship for inevitable destruction.
     
         One thing that makes the difference in all these is the love in our hearts.Irrespective of how some friends make us feel,we still find a place in our hearts for them because of the love.1Peter.4:8 says
love covers multitude of sins....
  
          True friendship knows nthe weaknesses are there,but still chooses to love all the same.Every worthy friendship comes with a price tag,we just need to get to the place where love covers the cost.
                            
                                             extracted from Mary Southerland's article for 'girlfriendsinGod'