September 9: So-Called Friends

Job chapters 4 through 7

Job 6:14-23

The Message (MSG)

My So-Called Friends

14-23 “When desperate people give up on God Almighty,
their friends, at least, should stick with them.
But my brothers are fickle as a gulch in the desert—
one day they’re gushing with water
From melting ice and snow
cascading out of the mountains,
But by midsummer they’re dry,
gullies baked dry in the sun.
Travelers who spot them and go out of their way for a drink
end up in a waterless gulch and die of thirst.
Merchant caravans from Tema see them and expect water,
tourists from Sheba hope for a cool drink.
They arrive so confident—but what a disappointment!
They get there, and their faces fall!
And you, my so-called friends, are no better—
there’s nothing to you!
One look at a hard scene and you shrink in fear.
It’s not as though I asked you for anything—
I didn’t ask you for one red cent—
Nor did I beg you to go out on a limb for me.
So why all this dodging and shuffling?

I have found Job's lament to be true! When I was young, I poured myself into friends, listening for hours when they needed me; and I was shocked over and over as they dumped me when I when I needed them the most! 

I found the following description of the 5 types of friends online.

The Comic Relief: The one that makes you laugh, especially when you need it.

The Life Coach: The one that energizes you and inspires you to live each day fully and complete your goals.

The Risk Taker: The one that tries new, maybe odd, things and opens you to new ideas.

The Challenger: The brutally honest one that tells it to you straight and gives you tough love, but helps you grow.

The Loyalist: The one you can be your complete, messy, emotional self around.

Its important to have these 5 different types of friends. However, don't expect friends or family to fill all your needs. 

I love how Job described friends. Sometimes, we search for answers and validation from others and simply come up bone dry. 

But Jesus never fails to fill the void that human friends can't fill.

Yes, sometimes the temptation to give up even on God is strong. Mickey Mangun, a recording artist, songwriter and amazing speaker, spoke about this very subject at the WI District Ladies Retreat 2012. She described a time in her life when it seemed God had shockingly let her down. So her initial response was to stop talking to Him. She felt she had nothing to say to Him. 

(If you want to hear the rest of the miraculous story, order the cd or dvd from the Wisconsin District UPCI Ladies Ministries.)

Job gave up on God and turned to friends. Ooops! They failed miserably to encourage him.

The answer is just keep talking it out with God. And when He says nothing, well then it's time to worship. As you give Him the sacrifice of worship, especially when your heart is broken beyond repair, He will pick up all the pieces and fix you! I promise! And His word promises!

Proverbs 18:24

Amplified Bible (AMP)

24 The man of many friends [a friend of all the world] will prove himself a bad friend, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

I have a friend who sticks closer than a brother. He is God! He is Lord! He is King of my heart!
"Dear Jesus, I come to You today thankfully. You have filled the hole in my heart. You never disappoint. You are the perfect Life Coach. The comic relief Friend. (You make me laugh!) The risk taker Friend. (You are constantly inviting me out of my comfort bubble.) The challenger Friend (brutally honest, yes You are!) The loyalist Friend (I can be completely myself around You and never have to fear You will leave me in disgust.) You are all of these plus more! You created me! You energize me! You constantly breathe life back into me! How I love You and praise You today. You are worthy, now and forevermore, Jesus. AMEN."