Maintain Your Friends

Just like any other relationship, friendships require some work to maintain them and to help them grow. Read on and learn how to be a great friend and continue nurturing your friendship. This is the will of God for your life.

 

Show Appreciation. 

Sometimes when you have known people for a long time, you can start to take them for granted. This doesn't have to be the case. Always thank your friend when he or she does something for you. Return favors when your friend goes out of his or her way to help you. Do nice things like getting their favorite candy at the grocery store, buying them lunch, or getting them a card and gift for their birthday. Tell your friend how much you appreciate them. This doesn't have to be an awkward or long-winded speech that you have prepared. It can be as simple as, "Hey, thanks for always being there for me. I appreciate it.

 

Show interest in your friend's life. 

A good friendship should be two-sided — and hopefully, you have a friend who shows interest in you as well.

 

Be a good listener. When your friend talks to you about something that's going on in his or her life, really listen. Good relationships are built on communication, so don't ignore your friend. Take the time to really hear what they're saying, and offer advice only if they ask for it. Don't fidget or play with your cell phone while they're talking to you.

 

If your friend is involved in an activity that they care about, show your support and interest. Offer to go to their events. For example, if your friend plays a sport or is acting in a play, go to a game or performance to cheer them on.

 

Build Trust. 

This seems simple, but you have to both constantly show each other that you can be trusted and depended on as friends.

 

Don't gossip about your friend. Gossip spreads quickly, and you do not want to hurt your friend's feelings and damage the relationship.
 

Keep your promises, even if it's something as small as showing up when you are supposed to meet.
Don't go behind your friend's back. This includes flirting with their significant other or inviting other friends out without including them.
 

Keep secrets safe. If your friend tells you something personal, don't share it with other people. They need to know that they can trust you with their secrets. 

 

Have fun together. 

This might be obvious, but sometimes we can get into the trap of just using our friends for emotional support and not taking the time to enjoy their company. Do things that you both enjoy together.

 

Learn something new. Take a rock climbing or pottery class, or play Zumba game together. The experience will bring you closer.

 

Make an open invitation. Call up your friend and ask them what they've been wanting to do. You can say, "I think we should hang out this weekend. What do you think would be fun?"

 

Throw a party together. Celebrate your friendship, a birthday, or nothing in particular.

 

Plan a fun evening. Invite your friend over for dinner and spend the night eating, drinking, playing board games, or watching your favorite movies. 

 

Support each other when things get rough. 

Sometimes friendships can get rocky or friends can have a hard time dealing with their own personal problems. Though it may not be fun, these are situations where a real friend has to step in and be there.

 

Demonstrate your support. Tell your friend, "I'm here for you. Just let me know what you need and I'll help you out." 

 

Offer to listen. If there are personal or family problems going on, tell your friend that you are always there when your friend needs to vent.
 

Provide distractions. If your friend is going through a breakup, come over and spend time with them so they don't feel alone. Take them out to do things that will take their mind off the problem. You can go out to eat, see a movie, or even just go for a walk.

Help your friend find solutions. 

If you know your friend is struggling, do what you can to help! Even small gestures to brighten his or her day can make a big difference. 

 

Call or drop by to check in on your friend regularly if they are having a hard time. Make sure they don't feel like they're alone.
 

Let your friend use you as a shoulder to cry on. Just let them get it all out and hand them tissues when they need them.
 

If your friend is sick, bring over soup, a good book, or fun movies that they can watch while they're in bed. 

 

Handle Arguments Maturely. 

When you and your friend have a conflict, don't lash out and yell at them. Instead, talk about your problems calmly and listen to both sides of the story.

Don't raise your voice or storm out when you're having an argument. Sit down and talk through the problems.
 

Don't complain about your friend to other people, especially before you've talked to them about the conflict. If they have no idea that you're mad at them, it will be confusing if they hear that you're talking about them behind their back.
 

Use "I" statements when you're talking to your friend. For example, you might say, "I feel left out when you invite all our friends out to dinner but don't include me." This makes the statement about your feelings instead of blaming them.
 

Apologize if you've done something wrong. If you have hurt your friend's feelings, take responsibility and say, "I'm sorry I hurt your feelings."

Maintain Contact. 

If one friend moves far away, keep in touch. People often move far away to go to different schools or pursue a new career. That doesn't mean the friendship has to end.

Call your friend regularly. If you don't see each other often, it's important to check in so that you know what is going on in your friend's life.
 

Schedule video chats online. Use video chat to talk to your friend and see their face. You can even use it to show each other your apartments or homes and to introduce each other to people in your lives.
 

Try old-school letter writing. It might take longer to send than an email, but sending your friend letters or care packages in the mail will make him or her feel special. They can serve as mementos of your friendship.
 

Visit whenever you can. When you are in town, make the time to see your friend. Plan a day of fun sightseeing together, or ask them to show you their favorite things to do. 

 

If you hear someone else gossiping about your friend, stand up for them. Say, "That's my friend, and you shouldn't be talking about him/her like that."

 

Even if you haven't spoken to an old friend in years, it doesn't mean that you're not friends anymore. Reach out and see if you can pick up where you left off!

 

Don't try to rush the friendship, then your friend might get confused or scared and turn in the other direction.

 

If your friend is not reciprocating or trying to maintain the friendship, you should talk to him or her about it. If he or she still doesn't want to put in the work, it might be time to end the friendship.

 

May the Holy Spirit help you to become He has planned for your life in Jesus name.

 

May the Holy Spirit grant you the wisdom to maintain Godly Friends in Jesus Name.

 

May the Holy Spirit grant you the courage to reject negative friends in Jesus Name.

 

Jesus loves you so much

 

Be inspired!