Today, we continue on with our discussion about friendships. Our friendships are worth fighting for, we don't give up easily, and we stay through many different trials with each other. But, sometimes there are unhealthy friendships that require us to put up boundaries or to distance ourselves.
""Friends are like stars,they come and go, but the ones that stay are the ones that glow" -- Unknown
"You're the average of the five people you spend the most time with." -- Jim Rohn
Here are 23 signs to help you identify toxic friends by Ann Davis
1. They convey criticism --They're like snipers you don't know when they might strike, and their advice is a kick-to-the-stomach that makes you feel small and embarrassed.
2. They're smart.--They skillfully determine which direction you move and how fast you go. If you try resisting, they fill you up with guilt until you cave in.
3. They're covetous--They feel bitter when you acquire things they don't have instead of being happy for you.
4. They discredit you--They hold you in low esteem and spread lies about you.
5. They lack empathy--They don't feel your pain.
6. They're untrustworthy--They disclose secrets confined to them which destroys the trust you put in them.
7. They're freeloaders--They take advantage of your generosity and give nothing in return.
8. They're gossipy-- Their gossip is like a whirlwind, and it destroys your reputation in a short period.
9. They're unhappy--Always dissatisfied, complaining, discontent and misery are their companions.
10.They're self-centered-- They only care about themselves and don't consider you.
11. Their life is a living drama--They live in "one life" and "another world" dragging you into their exaggerated lifestyles.
12. They bully--They use your emotions to attack you.
13. They're blabby--They talk too much. When you do, they talk about you until you shut up.
14. They're judgmental--They pass harsh and critical judgment based on their own ideas.
15. They're liars--They habitually lie with every intention to deceive you.
16. They're bigheaded--They are too stuck up to deal with and for the most part, they just talk about themselves.
17. They're stubborn--It's their way or no way.
18. They're fussy--They're picky and needy, annoying and hard to please.
19. They're resentful--They never give up their ruthless nature.
20. They're harsh--They get involved in fights over petty arguments.
21. They're inconsistent--Their commitment to the friendship is hard to predict.
22. They're pessimistic--They always believe the evil outweighs the good.
23. They're cheap--They lack generosity and are concerned with just themselves.
"If you’re in a toxic relationship, it’s up to you to change it! Casting blame on the other person may be convenient, but it is generally unproductive. If you’ve been treated poorly by someone, chances are you’ve allowed it. So start by acknowledging your part, and focus on what you can do to change yourself.
The best way to know the difference between a toxic friendship and a healthy one is to hang out with people who aren’t toxic! Once you’ve made a connection with someone you enjoy being with, who doesn’t use or abuse you or your time, pay attention to what’s different about this relationship so that you can focus on finding those qualities in others—and being a true friend yourself." [lifehopeandtruth.com]
"This perfect level of friendship may seem like an impossibility to achieve with any of your friends, and in fact, you’re right! None of us is perfect, so we all eventually disappoint or frustrate others. Having a great friendship isn’t about expecting perfection.
However, there is one friend we can have who is perfect in every way, and He wants to be your best friend if you’ll let Him.
In John 15:13-15 Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends, if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.”
Jesus Christ died so that we might live, and His life is a testimony for us of what the truest of friends is like. We should all get to know Him better." [lifehopeandtruth.com]
