«He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward than he who flatters with the tongue» (Proverbs 28:23).
Friendship
I’ll never forget a trip to Nuevo Laredo (Mexico) that I took to participate in a series of Bible Conferences several years ago. While I was there, Héctor, my brother, —who was living there at the time— made some comments about my weight and motivated me to take part in a 10K race. At first, I felt a bit uncomfortable with what he said, but in the end, I decided to train with him. On the day of the event I was surprised to see a good number of Adventist young people ready to run. And there was I, a little sorry for having accepted the challenge; I felt like the odd one out, like a fish from another pond. The race began and I suddenly realized that I was in one of the last places, but my goal was not to win, but to run the 10K. Little by little, some of the runners abandoned the race. But I kept running, motivated by Héctor, who encouraged me not to quit. Finally, I finished the race. I was exhausted, but I had done it! I really thanked my brother for inspiring me to compete and the lively Adventist young people from Nuevo Laredo for their encouragement to keep going. The best part was that, from that day on, I began regularly participating in those kinds of races, which has brought about great benefits to my health.
It´s much more pleasant to receive praise than reproach in life. When someone criticizes you, you immediately place yourself on the defense. But when one of those observations comes from one of your loved ones, I think worthwhile to listen to it. There’s always something to improve. Changes are challenging. It’s not easy to stay in the fight, but you shouldn’t quit. The apostle Paul compared spiritual life to a race: «I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith» (2 Timothy 4:7). I believe that in order to continue with the race of faith we need Jesus’s encouragement, the church’s support and our loved ones’ care.
True friends don’t spend their time praising you, instead, they are sometimes forced to put their finger on the sore spot and tell you some painful truths in order to help you improve. In time, those comments which were uncomfortable at the time become very valuable because they motivate you to make important changes in your life.
Ask the Lord today to help you make good friends who will help you build a solid character for the kingdom of Heaven.
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Take From: Daily Devotions for Youth 2020
«A New You»
From: Alejandro Medina Villareal
Collaborators: Gezer Noria & Misael Morillo
