“Friendship is a strong and habitual inclination in two persons to promote the good and happiness of each other.” – Joseph Addison
True friends promote both the good and happiness of each other, not just the happiness. As such there is occasionally the need to communicate hard sayings, counsel which would likely offend in more superficial relationships.
True friends give and receive such guidance with an open heart, even if the matter being outlined is not clearly or fully understood by one of the parties. If a friend is offended by a call to greater goodness, then he in that moment faces a uncertain future.
Gregory Hake 
To care for someone’s life more than you care for the relationship takes a true depth of concern that is rarely seen in the world today. When these ones come around we are best served to not be so quick to toss them away. Thanks for the post.
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To care for someone’s life more than you care for the relationship takes a true depth of concern that is rarely seen. When these ones come around we are best served to not be so quick to toss them away. Thanks for the post.
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Your post clears the way for a deepening of our relationships. Yes, openness,forgiveness and repentance for not hearing what our friends are offering to us does bring healing and a new start to be a true friend. Thank you for providing this life essential awareness. I appreciate it in depth of heart.
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Cultivating friendship to the point where difficult subjects can be helpfully broached is an art, to say the least – a necessary art, but not one to be taken lightly. In certain stages of a developing friendship there is extreme delicacy, and careless or self-righteous words can do damage that may never be undone. Once a friendship has been cultivated and proven, however, there is a quality of hardiness that allows for direct and even painful encounters that help, in the end, to temper and deepen that friendship.
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That is one of the blessings of a true friend. It’s also a sorting out process for the strength of the bond. How you tell is also a factor. I’m not suggesting sugar coating; I am suggesting in person, face to face. There’s also room for discourse. In the event you are mistaken, there is the room for forgiveness and an appreciation for the openness and community you share. It’s a two way street paved with love and kindness. Offensiveness on either part will require a the healing process of repentance and forgiveness; but as always there is a harvest from any taking or giving of offence.
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The giving of correction takes courage, the receiving humility, when this ensues the arch of friendship strengthens and their is a lifting up that is quite magical. Your words are definitely wisdom to live by… Thank You Gregg!
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I have had very few I would call friends and even fewer TRUE FRIENDS. I value greatly those few true friends that really care deeply enough to call me to greater goodness, without them in my life I am blind to things I can not see, things that need refinement and things that just need to be dealt with head on for the greater good. May we all be that true friend to those we love and care deeply about and also be open to hear those true friends we have in our lives that care enough to guide us in our growth and maturity.
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A true friendship will stand the test of honesty if based in righteousness.
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