THE BIBLE-TEACHING MINISTRY OF CHARLES R. SWINDOLL
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A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. (Proverbs 17:17)
Unlike those who come and go, depending on fickle moods and whether or not you have money or are becoming popular, true friends keep seeking your highest good. They “love at all times.” 2. A friend is someone you can talk with openly, honestly, and confidentially.
Oil and perfume make the heart glad, So a man’s counsel is sweet to his friend. (Proverbs 27:9)
There is something especially delicious about the “counsel” that comes from and is shared with one’s friend. Even his or her criticisms can be trusted.
Wounds from a friend can be trusted. (Proverbs 27:6 (NIV))
Furthermore, when you talk with a friend, secrets remain secrets. No one — no one — hears about them later on. 3. Friends are loyal.
Do not forsake your own friend or your father’s friend. (Proverbs 27:10)
When you hit bottom, friends are there. When you win, they celebrate. When you lose, they encourage. When you are troubled or angry or disappointed, they listen without preaching. Even when you are embarrassed about something you did that was dumb, friends don’t make you feel stupid. As Erma Bombeck, the late humourist, once said, when she gave herself a perm that left her hair looking too frizzy, her friend sat with her in the bathroom until it grew out. 4. Friends make each other better people.
Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17 As in water face reflects face, So the heart of man reflects man. (Proverbs 27:19)
What vivid images ... iron and water. Both beautifully illustrate how another person “sharpens” us and “reflects” us. With a friend, we receive both. Without a friend, we get neither. So then, in light of all the above, here are several “graduation tips” that will help your future years in university be better than those now in the past. Assuming you are going to choose several new friends — First, choose one teacher at university to be your mentor. You will have many teachers. You will be drawn to several. Select one you would like to be your mentor. Study and learn from him or her. You’ll never be sorry. A great teacher who becomes a mentor is one of life’s best gifts. Second, choose a couple of leaders at church to model. Your spiritual growth will be accelerated, and your life will be deepened. Best of all, you will come to realise that the Christian life is attainable ... even by imperfect people. Third, choose a few friends at university to have fun with. Go to places, do stuff, enjoy life, and try fun things with your school friends. Relax and laugh a lot. You can’t beat fun. Fourth, choose to honour your parents. You’re growing up. That means you need your parents less. And in a few more years, you’ll need them even less. But you will discover that a “need relationship” will be slowly replaced by a growing sense of respect. Let it happen. Don’t fight it. Nobody is in your corner more than your mum and dad. Give them the honour they have earned. Fifth, choose Christ to be your Lord. There IS no friend like Jesus. Take Him with you ... deliberately. Seek His will and read His Word ... regularly. Proverbs 18:24 tells us of “a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” That’s Jesus. Those are my “tips” for both honoured graduates and continuing students. Remember: success, fulfilment, happiness, and contentment will be directly linked to wise decisions, healthy reading material, and a tight circle of good friends. Choose only the best friends, since you are inviting them to join the inner, crucial core of your life. You’ll never be sorry.
About the Author: Charles R. Swindoll Charles R. Swindoll