HOW DO YOU ?
I am so disappointed in a dear friend....I've watched them for months compromise...their standard...their walk....their beliefs. Suddenly I don't recognize this person and it hurts. I know we should never place people on a pedestal because they are only human. But, we all do.....don't we??????We just expect more from certain people in our lives. I'm so sad to see so many changes that I never thought would come.
How do you deal with it when a friend steps back from their faith? From the very core of what they ALWAYS believed?
How do you deal with it when a friend steps back from their faith? From the very core of what they ALWAYS believed?
Hi, Lisa.
It's very difficult to watch a friend take a wrong turn. My suggestion is to take some time to fast and pray, then invite your friend out to dinner, to a place where it will be quiet and the two of you can really talk.
Tell your friend that you are very concerned about her(?), because you've seen [whatever; maybe list some of what you've noticed]. Be careful that your tone of voice stays compassionate, non-judgmental.
Finally, tell your friend that you're here for her, that your prayer is that she can get back to a close walk with the Lord, knowing that "our heart will not rest, until it rests in Him." Offer to help her, by meeting each week, for prayer, Bible Study, or reading a good, applicable book together and discussing it.
If she listens, great. If not, you can say, at least, that you tried to warn her. Sometimes we have to let a friend "go," allowing him/her to experience the consequences of a wayward life.
Keep us updated.
Blessings,
Mary
It's very difficult to watch a friend take a wrong turn. My suggestion is to take some time to fast and pray, then invite your friend out to dinner, to a place where it will be quiet and the two of you can really talk.
Tell your friend that you are very concerned about her(?), because you've seen [whatever; maybe list some of what you've noticed]. Be careful that your tone of voice stays compassionate, non-judgmental.
Finally, tell your friend that you're here for her, that your prayer is that she can get back to a close walk with the Lord, knowing that "our heart will not rest, until it rests in Him." Offer to help her, by meeting each week, for prayer, Bible Study, or reading a good, applicable book together and discussing it.
If she listens, great. If not, you can say, at least, that you tried to warn her. Sometimes we have to let a friend "go," allowing him/her to experience the consequences of a wayward life.
Keep us updated.
Blessings,
Mary
"Don't tell God how big your storm is; tell your storm how BIG your God is!"
ObesityHelp Support Group Leader and Support Group Coach
ObesityHelp Support Group Leader and Support Group Coach
Mary,
Thank you so much for the help. I believe in prayer and fasting and have in fact applied this. I also have noticed this friend becoming DEFENSIVE about the changes they are making. Not with me but with other friends. It's so difficult to see this transition.
I know that my God is bigger than all of this and can still reach them. However, I think they are so caught up in the things that they are doing that they either don't see the changes or they feel they are justified in the changes.
Thank you again! I sincerely appreciate the AWESOME advice.
Lisa
Thank you so much for the help. I believe in prayer and fasting and have in fact applied this. I also have noticed this friend becoming DEFENSIVE about the changes they are making. Not with me but with other friends. It's so difficult to see this transition.
I know that my God is bigger than all of this and can still reach them. However, I think they are so caught up in the things that they are doing that they either don't see the changes or they feel they are justified in the changes.
Thank you again! I sincerely appreciate the AWESOME advice.
Lisa
Mary said almost everything that I would have said. I have a dear friend who had to confront me about some stuff when I was going down a dangerous road, and she always couched everything she said with love and scriptures. Offering to study the Bible together would show your love and dedication to her and God's Word at the same time.
Most importantly, pray for her, and yourself to be given the words to say by the Holy Spirit.
God bless,
Trish
Seek always to do some good, somewhere. Every man has to seek in his own way to realize his true worth. You must give some time to your fellow man. For remember, you don't live in a world all your own. Your brothers are here too.
Albert Schweitzer
Albert Schweitzer
Trish,
Yes, the advice is good. I'm just not sure now how to approach this with my friend because others have tried and the wall of Defense goes up brick by brick.
I am and will continue to pray and seek the Lord's help in all of this.
Sometimes it just feels good to verbalize this to other Christian's. Thank you for reading and responding truly it does help.
Blessings,
Lisa
Yes, the advice is good. I'm just not sure now how to approach this with my friend because others have tried and the wall of Defense goes up brick by brick.
I am and will continue to pray and seek the Lord's help in all of this.
Sometimes it just feels good to verbalize this to other Christian's. Thank you for reading and responding truly it does help.
Blessings,
Lisa
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