“Every friendship is a relationship but not every relationship is necessarily a friendship.” (John Arthur).
Introduction
The
simplest definition of friendship is: Friendship is a relationship of mutual
affection between two or more people. The two basic understandings we get
from this definition are;
1. Friendship
is a relationship.
2. Friendship
requires mutuality.
FRIENDSHIP
AS A RELATIONSHIP
“Every friendship is a relationship but not every relationship is necessarily a friendship.” (John Arthur). Relationship is a very broad concept. Friendship is only a little portion of relationship. There are three concepts of friendship we have to know about friendship as a relationship.
1) Friendship is a relationship for EXPERIENCING life together.
Don't become people's friends and abandon
them when they're in trouble. In friendship, we experience what our friends
experience together with them till we help them out of their situation.
2) Friendship is a relationship for
EXPRESSING our love and support to our friends.
Don't become a friend to people without
being a blessing to them. No matter the friendship you have with people, there
should be something unique that you provide to add a little advantage to their
lives.
3) Friendship is not a relationship for
EXPLOITING people.
Don't become a friend to people to take
advantage of them. If your reason for being friends with people is just because
of something you can get from them then you're not a true friend. Change. Be a
blessing to people not a burden on them. That's what it means to live in
friendship.
FRIENDSHIP AND MUTUALITY
The second observation from the definition of friendship we stated earlier is that friendship requires mutuality. This means, when you see yourself as a friend to somebody you must not exempt yourself from the things that happen in that person’s life. There are three meanings of having friends who become mutually inclusive in your life.
1) SIDE with you: Friendship is having
someone who stays on your side.
Your real friend will identify with you in
all circumstances. Dr. Mike Murdock said, "True friends often have the same enemies." In your darkest and
happiest moments, your true friends will be there.
2) SUPPORT you: Friendship is having someone
who supports and helps you no matter what.
Your real friend will not completely
overlook your pain. They won't watch your life be destroyed when you are in
danger. Apostle Joshua Selman remarks, "Anyone you call your friend, who
cannot inconvenience himself no matter how little for your welfare, is a bad
friend; in fact, he's an enemy."
3) STRETCH you:
Friendship is having someone who stretches you to reach higher than you
possibly could on your own.
When you seem not to be
making progress in life, your real friends will kick your ass to get up and do
something better with your life. They will identify your potentials and help
you to keep pushing forward until your life becomes beautiful.
Friendship is therefore a relationship that is established on the Law Of Reciprocity. “Friendship is like a bank account. You can't continue to draw on it without making deposits.” (Unknown). You must be willing to give to your friends as much as you desire to receive from them. This is the basic meaning of friendship.
Thank you for reading. If you have questions, kindly ask in the comment section, and let's chat. Stay connected.
Kind regards,
JOHN ARTHUR,
AUTHOR & SPEAKER.
Check the following links to buy copies of my books.
1. The Friendship Of Samson And Delilah: Why You Should Avoid Bad Friends
2. The Friendship Of David And Jonathan: Why You Should Have True Friends
3. BE YOUR OWN BEST FRIEND: How To Love Yourself And Fulfill Your Purpose
4. Dating And Friendship: A New Model For A Lasting Love Relationship
5. BECOMING TRUE FRIENDS IN A TURBULENT WORLD (Friendship Today - Vol. 1)