Last week I realized something...
...That I had been turning to my friends for the comfort and support that I should've been receiving from my Jesus. I had been looking to earthly things to satisfy me. To 'help' me. To love me.
So this week I decided to do a sort of challenge. I was going to just 'back away' from my friends for a little bit...and spend more time with God.
And so far, two huge instances have happened that have proven my point. And a line from a hymn sums it up very well: 'Friends may fail us, foes asail us. He is with me to the end.'
Instance #1 -
I didn't tell very many people this, but...I auditioned for a dance/musical at the beginning of this week. There was a singing audition on Sunday evening. And if you passed that, they would give you a callback for a dance audition the next day.
Well, I passed the singing part. It went fabulously! I wasn't nervous at ALL. I sang well (even though I had forgotten to take my water bottle...so my throat was a tad dry). And yes, they called me back for the next day.
I went in on Monday for the dance audition. I got there. I was calm. I was ready. And then...I was disappointed. It's hard to explain all about it, but...it just wasn't what I was expecting.
So...I called my bro to come pick me up (we had our church's ultimate frisbee game that evening...at least my whole day wasn't ruined). And while I waited for him outside the building, I pulled out my iPad and went to my iMessage. I scrolled back through texts from a certain friend, but I was still feeling down...disappointed...upset...frustrated...
My eyes wandered away from my iPad and caught sight of my Bible, peeking out of my purse.
'This is where I want you to turn, my daughter.'
It was almost as if I could hear God telling me that...
This week was supposed to be about focusing on Him, NOT on turning to earthly comforts - that weren't really even comforting me.
So I pulled out my Bible and started reading through the Psalms.
You have no idea how refreshed and at peace I felt afterwards. I had been debating with myself whether I should go back in and have another try at the audition, but...no. God didn't want me there. It wasn't the right place for me to be.
By the time Noah picked me up, I was happy...I was comforted...I was refreshed. God was with me.
Instance #2 -
I had had a fairly rough day yesterday. Not super stressful or anything. But, I had been looking forward to some quiet, relaxing time and being able to chat with a friend. And here's a word of advice, dear readers...
Don't ever give your friends high expectations. Because they will almost always fail you. And I realized that last night.
Like I said, I just wanted some relaxing time...just be able to kick my feet up and breathe a little. And...well...the friend I was texting was a bit inconsiderate. I'm not naming names and I certainly don't want any of you to get a bad image of this friend, because I do love them to death, but...I had expected them to be caring and considerate of me. I had expected some 'me' time. Some pampering. Some love. But they decided, instead, to talk about...other things.
I felt let down. A bit hurt. They didn't even ask me how I was doing. Instead, I just listened to them ramble on about this and that...
'You should be spending time with Me,' I heard God's voice remind me.
So I said 'goodnight' to the friend...and pulled out my new Bible (yes, I got a new Bible from my church for my graduation:) so happy with it! <3) and read a little before going to sleep.
But here's the best part. Here is the part of this little story that makes me stand back and realize just how much my Jesus loves me.
This morning, as I was sitting down to write this post, I posted a status on Facebook and Gmail.
'Don't give your friends high expectations. Because they will almost always fail you. But you have a Friend who will never leave you. A Friend who is always there - no matter where you may be. What a Friend we have in Jesus!'
No sooner had I written that status that I got a text from a friend...wishing me a goodmorning...telling me that they loved me. Now what better timing could God have made that?? It so touched me...and just made my morning!!
---
So remember, dear readers:
Friends will fail us. They will. It's a part of life.
But we have a God who is always with us. Will never leave us. Never fail us.
He is with you wherever you go.
::hugs:
22 of your thoughts:
Proverbs 18:24 "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a Friend who sticks closer than a brother."
<3
SO true, Raquel. Often we turn to many different things to find solace and comfort, and all Jesus wants us to do, is to turn to HIM. :) Thank you for reminding us of this.
xx,
Mikailah
P.S. You are much loved... by your heavenly Father, and all your readers. :) ::hugs!:: ♥
I totally agree. I needed to hear this! Thank you.
Miss Raquel,
I agree and sometimes I too lose focus on what I should be focused on and not letting my mind go into the world.. I thank you for sharing this post... It helps me to know that I to need to remind myself on what priority needs to comes first in my life! I LOVE God and I too sometimes let myself wandered into the world and need to be refocused back by him...
He has blessed us and continues too also, as well as chastens us to get back on track with him. I know that we all need alone time with God in prayer and in reading his words and living them...! So truly thank you!
You can Visit my blog @ http://notw4life.blogspot.com/
Great post, Raquel. There are few things that can make you feel worse than an inconsiderate friend. But like you said, we always have a Friend that will never fail us! I've been taking a break from some people lately too, and I have to say, my priorities have been straightened out and I can almost *feel* my self being less and less dependent on others to fill my need. So it's great that you're learning this, too! :D
This was wonderful to read! So glad the Lord is teaching you so much and that you are finding out MORE of who He is and HOW much more He wants YOU to know Him! Love you, girl!
This was so wonderful to read! I am so encouraged to see all that the Lord is teaching you about who He is and how He wants you to grow closer and closer to Him. It is a sweet time,girl, getting to know our Savior! Love you!
Oh my word!!!!! That is so beautiful! Just what I needed to hear! Thank you so much for posting this! I need to turn to Him when I need Him.
-Emily
Hello my dear, long time no see. Hehe. :D I'm working on getting back into blogging and reading blogs now so it's nice to see you again.
Absolutely beautifully said Raquel! And actually you know this is something I've been thinking quite a bit on myself this year. :) I appreciate your sharing your 2 stories - they sound very similar to experiences I've had before. Something I need to remember more is not to look to anything else when I'm growing discouraged, like you said, whether that be friends or something like FB (your example was your iPad). God's Word is the only thing that ever fills that "void" and brings true comfort that we long for. :)
Thanks so much for your thoughts and for the encouragement!
Blessings in Christ,
~Miss Rachel~
So sad you've had a couple hard days--so glad you could find your comfort in Jesus!
It's so true! My sister and I were (ironically) talking about this last night! Just how we can find hope and comfort AND peace in Christ.
This was the extra reminder God used to remind me who my truest, kindest Friend is. :D
So true, Raquel. Sometimes we will go to our friends to console us and seek comfort in them when we should be looking for it in Christ alone. Their consolation-- whether they are comforting or not-- will never be the same rich, satisfying comfort that only He can bring. Books, even ones that are supposed to be a comfort to us, cannot fill that void either. Something I have personally learned this year is that we as Christians have a thirst for Living Water, but all too often we try to quench that thirst with something else, but it will never *truly* satisfy us like He can.
I hope Jesus heals you. I know He will. He always does. *smiles*
You're in my prayers. ((hugs))
Blessings,
your sister in Christ
Such I good post! Thanks for sharing! I can relate to what you are saying, as God was teaching me some of the same things earlier this year! It's so easy to try and seek satisfaction and fulfillment from friends, but that can really truly only be found in CHRIST.
Blessings! :D
Tonight, at my Church, the sermon was on this topic. We cannot get that vital peace from friends, or even family, but have to look to God for comfort! ♥ Lovely post, Raquel!
-Grace
-thatsmilingblog.blogspot.com (I'm hosting a caption contest!)
This is all so true. I cannot stress it more than you already have. God is the greatest Friend we can ever have.
I've had that same experience countless times it seems! I expect so much from my friends, and as bad as it sounds, I think I count on them for my joy often. Horrible, I know. When I turn off my phone, computer, etc and just focus on JESUS, my whole day gets brighter. :) Then, it's amazing to see how God rewards us for that! When we don't NEED others, God gives us others, but only after He's given us HIMSELF. :)
VERY true!! :)
I've been in that spot...almost too many times to count, where I'm upset, frustrated about something, or just down...and I just need someone to send me a msg, or SOMETHING, just to encourage, or help me in some way! Or, I start chatting to a friend, and they might not reply, or they might be busy, or - like in the example you used - they talk about other things, and don't ask me how *I* am, lol!
And then...some days they are there for me! But I expect them to be there for me...all the time. And then I get disappointed...and get even more down :P
So, yeah, what you said is very true - I agree 100%! We do indeed have a Friend who is there for us, no matter where me may be!
Thanks for sharing! *hugs*
Blessings,
Amy
xxx
Thank you for this post - I tend to lean on friends too much as well, especially when I find a good one. But even if the friend is especially sympathetic it isn't right to lean fully on them - only God can bear all our burdens. :)
Thanks for the reminder!
Blessings,
~Melody
A lot of this is true for me, too. :) And I'm so sorry you were disappointed. :/ Kudos to you for trying out, though, and how exciting that you got called back at least once! You should try something like it again, if you get the chance. :)
I know how rough bad days can be--and friends can either make them better or worse. But I think it was a little harsh to call your friend inconsiderate..he/she might not have known you were feeling that way! I know it's nice to have "me" time sometimes, but it's kind of hard to expect friends to go along with that sometimes. :) Ya know?
I am pretty sure your friend had no intention of being inconsiderate (see? they texted you the next morning with a "love you!" that proves it :)--maybe they just didn't know you were feeling down, or maybe they wanted to get your mind off your troubles?
Just a thought. :)
Have a lovely day!
<3 Lucia
I know I say this a lot but the same thing's been going on with me. I've been blaming it on work (which may or may not have anything to do with it) but I've been looking to things other than God for peace and contentment.... but it's not there. Like today I was having such a great time working on my website making kool stuff.... and then at the end of the day when I finished the project and I thought for sure it was going to work great but it ended up not working at all. Plus this new Gabriela guitar technique I'm practicing.... I was feelings so good about it but then my fingers gave out and I couldn't play at all. (I know, not a big deal but still...)
Don't even get me started on people! I've been a bit selfish lately, not responding to people and possibly responding to much to others. But yeah, I need to stop relying on them for things only God can give.
One more thing. this has happened to me before.... many times actually. Ya just get out of good habits like reading your Bible and what/who you look to for contentment and peace. It's okay though, confidence has always been something I look to God for and I'm confident rainy days pass and make you appreciate the clear, blue sky all the more.
Great post btw. You're very encouraging in case you didn't know. =)
Beautiful, dear!!!
Thank you for sharing your heart!
xoxo
Yeah, that's something that I really need to remember. I get too caught up i not feeling loved by my friends most times, and then when I feel God's leading about something that has to do with a friend, the time with my friends are always so wonderful. That might have been confusing, but I hope you understand what I'm saying; when I seek God before my friends, he blesses the time with my friends even more. :)
I love that hymn! God is the best friend we can ever have.
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