Prayer when friendship falls apart
By Chelsey Dematteis
Bible reading: “I will no longer call you your servant, for the servants do not know what his master is doing, but for all I have heard from the Father who informed you. I call you a friend of him.” – John 15:15
Listen or read:
For me, last year was a year when losses were marked. Friendship and loss of loved ones. It was courageous. Why was certain things happening, and “Can we do more?” I could look back at it and see how God’s Hand ended even in the most painful times.
I lost my best friend earlier this year. She was like a sister I had never had. We shared everything. This is the highest and lowest. When things began to change in our friendship, it was as if God was trying to relieve the pain of friendship when it was no longer possible.
On a strangely warm February afternoon, the call came. It was the last time we spoke. The tension was even felt from a few miles away. My heart aches, and the friendship is over. Some people may be reading this strange thing. Why did we not try to repair it because our friendship fell apart? This was one of the moments when I had to be “alright” as part of the outcome that God already knew.
When I travelled through this loss, I wondered many times, what does Jesus do? And I don’t mean “threw a quote from the famous 90s era.” I really mean that. What do we do when our relationship with our dear friend breaks apart? We know we seek reconciliation, but we know that there are seasons when relationships are suspended or terminated.
The Bible I clinged to when I navigated this season was John 15:15. I’ve heard from my father that I told you. “Jesus is not only my Savior, but my best friend. I know that we sometimes ask for confirmation from friendship rather than from the Savior.
Jesus was always there as my friend, with His loving kindness, and I now see him like this more than ever before. I sit with him first, not picking up the phone, but with him first. Rather than wanting to get a second opinion from someone, I want to get the only opinion that matters, yes.
My heartache was certainly worth what I got with Jesus. He took the difficulties and made it an area of my life, so he attracted me more deeply with him. He showed me that for his life, he would give me great joy while he watched me in my sorrows.
This is my prayer for you. If you walked out of friendship, I will meet you. I know it’s painful and sometimes questions. But let Jesus in that space. Please forgive him to become the friend he always wanted to be for you! Trust him, heal your heart and always seek him.
Let’s pray:
Thank you, Jesus for being my biggest friend. Something changes when we consider you a friend and I am so grateful that you are mine. Lean on you when you are looking for your friends’ approval or opinion. Lead me to a deeper walk with you and a loyal friendship. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Photo Credit: ©GetTyimages/ Blasius Erlinger
Chelsea is the voice of my life, who lives a life of Christ in a world centered around me, with few podcasts and 52 weeks dedicated to his author. I’m sending it. She writes Lifeway Women’s Journey Magazine, Crosswalk.com, and Devotions for Ibelieve.com. She also writes a Bible Reading Plan for the Youversion Bible app. Chelsea lives in Ohio with her husband and two children. You can connect with her on Instagram @chelseydematteis and her website chelseydematteis.com.
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