True Friendship
How can we find true friendship in this often phony, temporary world? Friendship involves recognition or familiarity with another's personality.26 ________
How can we recognize potential friendship? 27________ Beyond that, genuine friendship involves a shared sense of caring and concern, a desire to see one another grow and develop, and a hope for each other to succeed in all aspects of life. True friendship involves action: doing something for someone else while expecting nothing in return; sharing thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment or negative criticism.
True friendship involves relationship. Those mutual attributes we mentioned above become the foundation in which recognition transpires into relationship. Many people say, "Oh, he's a good friend of mine," yet they never take time to spend time with that "good friend." Friendship takes time: time to get to know each other, time to build shared memories, time to invest in each other's growth.
28________ We all need someone with whom we can share our lives, thoughts, feelings, and frustrations. We need to be able to share our deepest secrets with someone, without worrying that those secrets will end up on the Internet the next day! Failing to be trustworthy with those intimate secrets can destroy a friendship in a hurry.29 ________ Without them, we often feel betrayed, left out, and lonely. In true friendship, there is no backbiting, no negative thoughts, no turning away. True friendship requires certain accountability factors. Real friends encourage one another and forgive one another where there has been an offense. 30________ Friends are dependable. In true friendship, unconditional love develops. We love our friends no matter what and we always want the best for our friends.
A: Faithfulness and loyalty are key to true friendship. B: Signs include a mutual desire for companionship and perhaps a common bond of some kind. C: Genuine friendship supports during times of struggle. D: Trust is essential to true friendship. E: Friendship can make one being vulnerable. F: Friends often share likes and dislikes, interests, pursuits, and passion.