Faithful are the Wounds of a Friend - Grit & Grace
“What about me could possibly be considered brave?”
Because I’ve struggled in the area of friendships for most of my life, I really don’t feel qualified to talk about friendship on any level. Unless I get to talk about how hard, awkward, and scary it is.
It was my 30th birthday, and I was basking in the glow of my surprise party. Despite how difficult it is to surprise me (yep, I’m one of those people), my family and friends managed to pull it off.
Over the years leading up to that party, I’d experienced my fair share of relational heartache, specifically in the area of friendships. Having friends like the ones I had at that moment was a dream come true. Without even realizing it, I’d made friendship – and the friendships I had at my 30th birthday – the goal.
Proverbs 27:6 says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend.” (ESV)
Friendship has caused me my fair share of wounds over the years. The hurt that visited me in the decade after my 30th birthday added fresh injuries to an area that was already in so much pain.
Brave isn’t the word I’d use to describe myself in this area…until I remember what bravery means.
Bravery is courage with work boots on.
Choosing friendship on purpose in the midst of the hurt that often accompanies it requires bravery.
It’s hard for people that haven’t gone through extensive friendship and relational hurt to understand the reactions from those of us who have. It’s really hard not to shape your outlook because of it. Dusting yourself off, and getting back up and back in the imperfect friendship game after being knocked down time and time again is an act of courage and sheer determination.
So honored to share my story for Becky Beresford’s Brave Women Series – Bravery When Friendship Hurts. You can read the full post here.
Speaking of friendship, I wrote a series on that topic last year. Here are the links:
F is for Faithful. Faithful Friendship.
R is for Releasing. Letting Go of Friendship.
I is for Imperfect. Imperfect Friendship.
E is for Empathy. Empathy in Friendship.
N is for Near. Near and Dear: Cultivating Closeness in Friendship.
D is for Devoted. Devoted to Friendship.
It takes courage to keep pursuing friendship when we know that hurt feelings and misunderstandings are part of the package. Faithful are the wounds of a friend.
I’d love to hear from you – what are your thoughts about bravery, friendship, or bravery in friendship? Let’s keep the conversation going!
Becky is a Miami native, and has lived here all of her life. Married to her husband for over 20 years, they lead a very active lifestyle along with their three teenagers and Riley, their rescue dog. Becky loves to teach, and has had the awesome privilege of home educating her children for over twelve years. When not teaching academics, Becky loves to equip, encourage, and empower women through the teaching of her group fitness classes. Becky and her husband lead various ministries, and their family loves to serve the community through the countless opportunities provided over the past twenty years+ in their local church. She enjoys filling her "free" time with reading, writing, watching movies, and just spending time with the family. Becky has a passion for living her life with grit and grace, and encouraging others to do the same.
