We are glad to hear that you are in transition to improve your life and that you have acknowledged Jesus as your Savior. It's important to remember that God's work in our lives is a continual process, and He is faithful to complete the good work He started in us. As it is written in Philippians 1:6 WEB, "being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ."
In addressing your concern about friendships, we must first look at what the Bible says about friendship. Proverbs 13:20 WEB tells us, "He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm." It's crucial to surround yourself with people who build you up and encourage you in your walk with Christ.
However, we must also consider the type of friend you are being. Are you drawing closer to God and do your friends know your intentions are to do better with your life? Are you supporting your friends in a Godly manner? Are you sharing the Gospel with them? Are you showing Godly friendship towards them? Are you rebuking them where needed? If not, then they will not know you are trying to do better and some of the mistreatment you feel may be a result of you not addressing the issues.
It's also important that you are keeping Godly company. Friendship with the world and unbelievers only brings on mistreatment. James 4:4 WEB says "You adulterers and adulteresses, don't you know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." We must be friends with the living saints, the church, and not the world.
Proverbs 27:17 WEB says "Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens his friend's countenance." We must form Godly friendships so that we can sharpen each other.
It is also important to remember that our ultimate loyalty and respect should be to God. When we honor God and live according to His principles, He will bring the right people into our lives. Psalm 37:4 WEB says "Delight yourself also in Yahweh, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Remember David was a man after God's own heart and was deeply troubled in the Psalms. Even so, he still praised God and acknowledged Him and His power.
Let's pray together:
Dear Heavenly Father,
We come before You, lifting up our brother/sister in Christ who is seeking to improve their life and friendships. We thank You that You are a faithful God, always working to complete the good work You started in us.
We pray for Godly friendships that will sharpen and encourage growth in Christ. We pray for loyalty, respect, and positivity in these relationships, and we ask that You would remove any negative influences that are hindering spiritual growth.
We also pray for forgiveness and understanding for those who have caused harm, remembering that we are all fallen and in need of Your grace.
Help us to be wise in choosing our friends, and to be the kind of friend that You have called us to be. Teach us to pray for our friends and be a positive example of Christ that can be a witness to them.
Guide us as we navigate these relationships, always seeking to honor and glorify You.
In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Keep your faith in Jesus Christ and strive for Godly company and friendships. Share your faith with your friends. Do not compromise with the world and their friendship. God will honor your faithfulness and bring you the Godly relationships and friendships you need.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. Bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. Bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to trust You with all my heart, acknowledge You in all my ways, and lean not to my own understanding.
