Sharp friends

We've probably seen a chef sharpening a carving knife on one of those round sharpening steels. The chef is using one piece of metal to take the rough edges off another, to improve it. Now, importantly, it only works if the chef does it in the correct way. If he does it the wrong way, the knife gets even more blunt - no slice of roast beef for dinner today!

Imagine we're having a disagreement with a friend. If we approach the problem with anger and blame, we'll exaggerate the problem to something far worse. It's super-easy to get defensive and fall into a blame game that only ends up hurting everyone involved - no slice of friendship for us today. But when we prayerfully approach our tender issues with love and honesty, it opens the door to a calm discussion and possibly a stronger, 'new improved' relationship.

Take a look at these wisdom-pearls on the matter: Proverbs 20:3 NLT says, 'Avoiding a fight is a mark of honour; only fools insist on quarrelling,' and Proverbs 15:18 NIV says, 'A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.' No two ways about it, then. It's time to drop our pride and look at what's best for the long term. As long as we live, we're not going to avoid having disagreements, but when they do happen, we can pray to make them constructive.



So what now? Today, thank a friend who sharpens you and keeps you thinking clearly and peacefully.





— SCRIPTURE —

'As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.' Proverbs 27:17 NLT
— SOULFOOD —

Isa 8-11, John 6:25-34, Ps 85, Pro 27:20-22