As I sit down to write, I'm reminded of the ever-changing nature of friendships. Like the seasons come and go, people enter and exit our lives for times and seasons. It's a bittersweet reality, isn't it?
In Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, Solomon reminds us, "To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven." This wisdom applies to friendships too. Some people are meant to be in our lives for a short time, while others are gifted to us for the long haul.
But what happens when those seasons change, and friendships shift or come to an end? How do we cope with the loss, navigate growth, and recognize when we need emotional healing?
Coping with Loss
Allow yourself to grieve: It's okay to feel sad, angry, or disappointed. (Psalm 34:18)
Practice self-care: Take time for yourself, engage in activities that bring you joy, and prioritize rest. (Mark 12:31)
Reflect on the friendship: Celebrate the good times, and acknowledge any lessons learned or growth experienced. (Philippians 4:8)
Managing Growth
Embrace change: View new seasons as opportunities for growth and exploration. (Isaiah 43:19)
Invest in current relationships: Nurture those friendships that remain, and watch them flourish. (Proverbs 27:17)
Seek new connections: Expand your social circle, and be open to meeting new people. (Hebrews 10:24-25)
Recognizing the Need for Healing
Acknowledge unresolved emotions: If past relationships still linger in your heart, it may be time to confront and heal. (Matthew 5:23-24)
Seek support: Talk to a trusted friend, family member, or counselor about your feelings. (James 5:16)
Practice forgiveness: Release any bitterness or resentment, and choose to forgive yourself and others. (Colossians 3:13)
I've experienced a plethora of different losses in friendship. Some who passed away, others who parted ways, some with which I simply lost touch, and others who were drifted apart by life or circumstances. What I've come to realize is that regardless of the WAY we lose our friends, sometimes we still miss them and for a long time, it still hurts. When my best friend Nikki passed away, it took me a very long time (I'm talking YEARS) to learn how to cope. I share our deepest experiences in my book When A Friend Can't Find Forgiveness and how I struggled to heal.
Friendships, like the seasons, are ever-changing. While it's natural to experience loss and growth, it's essential to prioritize emotional healing and spiritual growth. As we navigate these transitions, it's important to find comfort in God's Word and the promise that "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore." (Revelation 21:4) We often feel compelled to fall into addiction, self-sabotage, bad habits and behaviors when we grieve, I pray that after reading this, you develop new tools.
Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. Let's support one another through the changing seasons of friendship.
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