Tag: Friendship

Definition of a Friend

A friend is a person whom one knows, likes, and trusts. Friends are individuals who offer support, companionship, and understanding in both joyful and challenging times. They share common interests and values, and often form deep, lasting connections based on mutual respect and care for one another. A true friend is someone who stands by your side through thick and thin, offering encouragement, empathy, and a sense of belonging.

Grief of Losing a Friend

Grief is the natural response to the loss of someone or something dear to us. When ties are broken, whether it’s the end of a friendship or the loss of a loved one, the resulting grief can feel overwhelming and difficult to navigate. It’s important to allow oneself to grieve and to seek support from others. Acknowledging the pain, sharing memories, and finding healthy ways to cope can help in the healing process. While the pain of broken ties may never fully go away, over time, it can become more manageable, allowing for new connections and experiences to bring comfort and solace. Don’t let anyone tell you how long you can grieve, how to grieve, just move on, let go, create negative modifiers about the friend, categorize your emotions as unwarranted. Their intentions may be honorable because they don’t want to see you hurt, however, there are a few things to remember:

1. They have not walked in your shoes;
2. They did not have the same friendship you had with the person.
3. They only know what you have shared with them – they are making suggestion on limited information;

David in the Old Testament

I’ve heard it said, “…there is nothing new under the sun…” In the bible there was man named David from the tribe of Judah which controlled Jerusalem. David established Jerusalem as the nation’s capital and God’s headquarters if you will. David was the grandson of Ruth and Boaz anointed by Samuel he chosen to be king. The Holy Spirit remained with him making him a man after God’s own heart. He trusted God for protection and remained loyal even when pursued by Saul. Despite his flaws, David’s faith set a standard for future kings. His legacy extends beyond defeating giants; he played a pivotal role in God’s plan for Israel.

Psalm 55: 12 – 14

Psalm 55 is a heartfelt plea from an individual who feels betrayed and overwhelmed. Traditionally believed to have been written by David, it captures the deep pain of betrayal by a close friend and articulates a fervent prayer for deliverance from enemies.

The psalm centers around a time of rebellion or power struggle against David. A key leader in this struggle was a trusted associate who betrayed him. The city was dangerous due to the rebellion, and David cried out to God for help. While some commentators associate this psalm with Absalom’s rebellion, certain aspects don’t perfectly align with that historical event. Nevertheless, the emotions expressed by David resonate with anyone who has faced betrayal and adversity.

In summary, Psalm 55 reflects the anguish, fear, and longing for divine intervention in the face of treachery and danger.

Summary

If a man like David with a connection to God most of us are still working to achieve can feel grief at the loss of a friend – who are we and who are you to define how, what, who, when and why we should grieve… 

Take care of your family – it’s all we have.