Did you know that some of your friendships are actually designed to be seasonal in nature?
By that I mean people who are friends in certain seasons of life. Maybe you were friends because of the school you went to or the small group you were in. Maybe your kids played sports together or you were both struggling with your marriages at the same time.
In that season, you just can’t imagine life without each other.
- The friendship is key to deliverance from strongholds because you can each speak God’s truth from an outsider’s perspective.
- One of you might have already walked that hard road so can provide expert advice on how to navigate it.
- There is a common thread between the two of you and the support you can offer each other is invaluable.
These friendships can have a profound effect on you and your life. But once that season of life is over and things change… so can the relationship.
We need to be okay with this.
I think all too often, we hold on for dear life because we feel indebted to these friends. We tend to think we can’t do life alone. We might find ourselves relying more on them than on God.
That’s not His design. Instead…
- Our loving Father intentionally places these friends in our lives when we need them.
- He provides us with the love, support and encouragement we need from others during that time.
- God uses them to be His hands and feet so we can stand through that storm.
He blesses us with that seasonal friendship.
Sooner or later, however, that season ends. And by divine design, so can that friendship.
But I’ve discovered something cool. Many time those seasonal friends come back for round two or round three in your life.
You’re gifted with their friendship… again. I love that.
Let’s thank God for those types of relationships. What a gracious, loving and caring Father to always surround us with the perfect friends at the right time.
And you know what I’ve learned?
A good friend at the right time is always cheaper than therapy.
©2011 careyscotttalks.com
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I agree. You summed this up well. I have been blessed by people in different seasons. My children will say, “Didn’t you used to be friends with her?” and I’ll say we still are friends but just not as close anymore. It’s hard for them to wrap their brain around levels of friendship. Maybe this will help them understand it! Thanks.
Funny… my kids ask the same question to me. Maybe this will help mine, too!
You know, we’ve discussed this before – and I think before I always felt like I had done something ‘wrong’ or was being punished somehow by a friendship dissolving…. However, I feel like God has me in a place where I can see His plan and timing in it all and can agree with your post. I think not only does God give us friends to help us but also sharpen us – that sometimes people aren’t just for comfort, but also for filing off the rough places that need softening…. and sometimes that part happens in the dissolution or changing season in a friendship…. This post is good fodder for conversation today!
Amanda, great addition! I agree that sometimes friendship are in place to teach us hard lessons. Thank you for bringing that into focus!
Thank you for this reminder. I have wounded another by “moving on.” And I am afraid I might have been one who couldn’t let go also. This really is about trusting God’s plan for our life. Friendships and all!!! However, you will always be my friend for life!!! 🙂
I stand in agreement with you, Jeanelle. This is just another level of trusting God and I think it’s something we feel we don’t need His input on. Hence the feelings of rejection when a seasonal friendship ends. Thanks for your response!!!
There is nothing like a FRIEND or SISTER! Thanks for being both, Carey!
Thanks, Conni! Love you sister and friend! 🙂
Carey, This is so true! God placed some incredible friends in my life during a very difficult time in the life of my family. My friends became family to us, supporting us and carrying us through more pain than we could imagine. When the pain and hurt were over the time for grieving began. During the time of grieving my husband & I entered a time of solitude. We leaned on each other and God for healing and finding our new normal with each other. As we emerged from our healing our friends were still there. We picked up and found our new normal with them as well.
Mary, great example! Thank you for sharing that!!!
Carey,
Thank you!