Iron sharpens iron

Galatians 4:16 "Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?"   Iron sharpens iron.  it’s better to receive open rebuke from a friend, than praise from an enemy.      I really don’t like being confronted by my friends.   I do however love it!! I remeber when my mother would point out how I had a drinking problem.   I felt as though I hated her for having the gaul to tell me I should quit.   I felt like she was my enemy when she was pointing out the truth!!!  When I get confronted with issues in my life, I can do that….. put up a wall and say to myself, “They have some nerve!”   Truth is I need my friends to help me see things I can’t see.    True friends help each other be better people.  Sometimes being a good freind means having difficult conversations.   I am horrible about confrontation.  I avoid it like the plague.    I have a tough time pointing out when a friend is going the wrong direction.  I love it when my friens help me see when I am.   I never like being confronted at first. I always benefit by discerning a friend’s criticism verses when I get mad they gave it to me.    Dear Lord, help each of us be the iron that sharpens iron and be open to the sharpening ourselves .”