“As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” Proverbs 27:17
The imagery of iron sharpening iron reminds me of my visits to the meat shop. I enjoy watching the butcher rub the blades of two knives together to sharpen them. Sometimes sparks would fly as the butcher rubbed the blades together and I could tell that the blades were hot. The sharp glistening blades also made a swishing sound that sent a clear message and left me uncomfortable to bargain.
Contrary to popular opinion, the process of sharpening each other is not always pleasant – there is pressure and there are sparks. Many people are satisfied with friendships that make them comfortable. The truth is that it is easy to settle in and enjoy friends that provide an escape and a happy place. When uncomfortable things happen, it is easier to look away, do nothing, and say nothing. However a true friend is not afraid of the difficult conversations or the occasional sparks that fly during the sharpening process.
If your edges are dull, look around you. Who are the people surrounding you? Do you have people in your life who can tell you the truth or have you surrounded yourself with people who will only tell you what you want to hear? While those types of friendships may be convenient, they cannot support your growth.
Care enough about the people in your life to tell them the truth in love
Have you ever seen someone dressed so poorly that it made you wonder if they have any friend or family who can tell them the truth? Sometimes I watch music audition shows like American Idol and wonder why no one ever told the sweet lady the truth about her singing ability. Why would people encourage a person who clearly has no talent for singing to audition on national TV? Even if the sweet lady is passionate about singing, a true friend should support her dream by encouraging her to take music lessons.
Telling people the truth does not give us the license to be rude, dismissive, or judgmental. However, the truth allows us to provide a perspective that the other person might be missing. True friends don’t excuse bad behavior, laziness or mediocrity. They encourage each other to stretch and keep growing. They provide a shoulder to cry on but they don’t let disappointment turn into a pity party. True friends hold each other accountable and won’t let you settle.
Be a true friend and nurture your true friendships.
