Battery Chargers or Battery Drainers

I have been moved recently by the number of precious friend that are in my life. I don’t mean acquaintances, I mean good friends. I have thought a lot about this word “friend” and what it means. I have always loved having friends and I have always wanted to be a good friend. I am sure I am a disappointment many times but at least my motive is pure. The Bible speaks much of friendships – good ones and bad ones!

I just got off the phone with a friend, I am meeting a friend this Friday, I look forward to seeing many friends next week at a couple’s retreat we are going to in Tennessee and I live with my very best friends – my family. Something popped out of my mouth the other day as I was talking to my hubby. I was having a pretty rough day physically and he knew it. Someone called just “to chat” and I got off the phone feeling so much better. We did not even discuss how I was feeling physically. I didn’t tell them a thing. But when we were finished talking, it had helped me.

When I was telling Jimmy about the phone call and how it had made me feel, I said, “That person is a battery charger!” Ever since then, I have evaluated myself and really, those around me. I think “battery charger” or “battery drainer” is a good way to describe friendships. When I think about Job in the Bible and his friends…well, who needs friends like that when you have enemies? They were not chargers – they were definitely drainers! I don’t know how he put up with them so long and didn’t kick them out of his house. Maybe because he was too sick. Whatever the case, they were not healthy friends. Job had enough on his plate and they were the last thing he needed to deal with.

I know that Satan loves to fight to get us discouraged. If he can conquer us in our minds, then he has already conquered us in our lives. I don’t know about you, but I have enough trouble keeping myself from being discouraged or feeling sorry for myself that the last thing I need is to be around people who make me want to feel sorry for myself because I have to be around them! Sometimes when I am having a rough day, I know exactly who I call. It is not to whine and complain but just to chat. They are “charger” friends and I love them for that! They encourage me. They challenge me to be like them!

I do not want to be like Job’s friends! I know I have been guilty of that and I am praying and asking God to help me improve my friendships and yes, sometimes that means purging a few because they are unhealthy relationships and so I must pull away. Philippians 4:8 says “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” I am pretty sure that what I think about is what I will talk about and so it is very important for me to keep my mind in a good healthy place so that my life will reflect that and my friendships will too. I feel bad for those whose minds are not in this kind of place, but one thing I have learned is that I can not go down with them to drag them up. I find myself dragged down with them instead as the law of gravity is pretty strong. God is THE One who is more than capable of lifting them out of that place and I don’t have to. I would probably drop them and hurt them even more if I tried so I am thankful that He will help them if they desire Him to.

I look around me and the many battery chargers I have in my life and I am SO blessed!! I thank God every single day for the sweet friends I have. Friendship is such a blessing. I can’t physically always be with all of my friends but I sure hope that any interaction I have with them, is a charge and not a drain.

So, my friends, thank you and I love you!