By Lisa Wilmore
My Dear Friends,
My prayer for you today is that God grants you peace and happiness as you journey throughout these heated yet beautiful days. In addition, I pray for children who will voyage to school with the desire to learn. I pray for their safety both coming and going as well as their journey throughout the day. My prayer, also, is that God blesses the faculty and staff in a grand way to be able to impart upon each child the knowledge that he or she needs for future success. Thank You, God, for answering this prayer. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Trust the Friend Who Tells the Truth
Our friends and sometimes loved ones give advice that we do not want to hear. We would rather hear the opposite of what they are saying because it is easier to follow, and it makes us feel good. If you have a friend who speaks the truth in time of need, listen to them. A friend’s advice is valuable. The writer declared, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful” (Proverbs 27:6).
I have the opportunity to sit among “season saints” who are of the age seventy-five to ninety-three. They have truly been friends to me. I count it a privilege to sit around these persons and glean from their God-given wisdom as they share their experiences and how God has been faithful to them. I must admit that sometimes the conversation is one-sided. I talk; they listen. Most of the time they ask questions which are designed to help me make a decision without their influence. Interestingly, their advice ALWAYS begin with the questions, “Have you prayed about it?” and What does the Bible say?” Of course, this is not what I want to hear at the moment. What I really want to hear is that they agree with me, and I should follow my feelings.
Have you had a friend to give advice or tell you the truth about a matter and you felt the pain from it? Their advice really angered you because you really wanted your friend to agree with you and advise you in the same way you were thinking. Well, when a friend shares insights to your situation that cause you to question their friendship, you should be grateful for that relationship. No matter how painful a friend’s advice, it is much more valuable than the “kisses of an enemy”. The enemy will pat you on the back. They will tell you how great you are in your thinking. Do not believe them! Trust the friend who tells the truth.
Trust Jesus, our Friend. He is Truth!
