Wounds
from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy. Proverbs 27:6
The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet
as perfume and incense. Proverbs 27:9
 |
| Like this rushing stream...wash away my broken spirit. Bumping River, Washington |
Heartfelt counsel from a sincere friend can
be wounding. I had a friend once “counsel” me and she told me that I wasn’t
treating another Christian lady very compassionately. Whoa! That cut me to the
bone. I was taken aback…but we prayed about it. I didn’t realize that I had
offended that other lady. My friend not only criticized me, she corrected me
and suggested the right way to handle the situation. I was so amazed at the way
the circumstances played out. I was wounded…my spirit was broken—but I was
sorry…repentant.
The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.
You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. Psalm 51:17
That heartfelt counsel from my friend was
truly as sweet as perfume…and we are even better friends. It is such an amazing
thing to know that someone cares enough about you to help you change—to help you
be a better person. The Holy Spirit was certainly flowing through her…ministering
to me that day. An amazing thing is that was several years ago…and I really don’t
recall the exact things I said or did
that were offensive…or the specific corrective conversation—but I know
forgiveness was involved and when true forgiveness occurs—there is an element
of forgetfulness.
God is good…and He is surely in heartfelt
counsel from a sincere friend. Will you be that friend to someone?
Prayer
~ Dear Jesus— I
understand that nothing
in all creation is hidden from You. Everything is naked and exposed before Your
eyes, and You are the one to whom we are accountable. Hebrews 4:13. Help me to
be a good listening friend—one who is compassionate to others and who can take
and give encouraging advice or counsel.
Daily
Bible Reading: Mark 11; John 12
© 2018 photo and
text by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All
scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.
Follow And Like
"Banquet With The King" on Facebook. 👍
No comments:
Post a Comment