Friday, September 17 Whoever forgives a transgression seeks love, but the one who keeps harping on a matter separates close friends.​—Prov. 17:9.

[Áine]

Friday, September 17

Whoever forgives a transgression seeks love, but the one who keeps harping on a matter separates close friends.—Prov. 17:9.

 

Sometimes when we work closely with our friends, we become aware not only of their strengths but also of their weaknesses. What can help us deal with this challenge? Realistically, we cannot expect perfection from our brothers and sisters. Therefore, once we have formed close friendships, we need to work hard at keeping those newly formed bonds alive. If our friends make a mistake, we may need to give kind but frank counsel based on God’s Word. (Ps. 141:5) And if they hurt us, we need to forgive them. Once we have forgiven them, we must avoid the temptation to bring the offense up again in the future. How vital it is during these critical times to focus on the strengths of our brothers and sisters rather than on their weaknesses! Doing so strengthens the bond we share with them, and we will need close friends during the great tribulation. w19.11 6 ¶13, 16

[Elnathan]

Developing close friendships today will help us to find comfort in one another’s companionship now, even to the Great Tribulation ahead of us. What will keep those bonds of friendship strong is, focusing on the positives of our friends & strive to be forgiving. Proverbs 17:9 says- we seek love when we accept counsel from a loving friend - But forgiving does not mean that we should disregard/condone their mistakes. We also seek love when we accept Bible counsel from a loving friend - Psalms 141:5 ‘ my prayer will continue even during their calamities’. We will not hate them if they give us scriptural counsel but will continue to love & appreciate them. 

[Vinnie]

 Friendships are one of the greatest things to have yet not always the easiest things to cultivate and maintain. We live in a complicated world where so much vies for our attention.  We have internal and external worries and concerns, hurts and pains that have shaped our actions. Close friends can help us navigate through life's ups and downs and loop de loops. Misunderstandings are bound to happen. Forgiveness and understanding will help us get through it all. Keeping Jehovah close to us will help us do things the right way.