Inspiring words

Iron Friend

Iron Friend
December 6, 2016
Maiii04

Proverbs 27:17 NLT
"As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend"

What does it mean to be an iron friend? It sounds wrong and funny at the same time describing a person, in this case, a friend, as an "iron".

This is exactly my goal in writing today, to understand further what these verse means and hopefully to transform the term "Iron Friend" into a sensible word combination.

Let's start with defining what is a friend.

According to Urban Dictionary, the top definition of a friend is someone who is aware of how retarded you are and still manage to be seen in public with you.

This one's hilarious yet true. We sometimes label people as our friends when we can do all crazy stuff with them for the sake of fun.

I personally feel comfortable being hilarious and funny with my friends, but this is just one of the characters of a friend. However, this is not the ultimate test because we all know that those who stick around when the going gets tough are the genuine one.

This is where I want to focus on. What really constitutes a die-hard friend?

Proverbs 27:6 NLT says "Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy."

Why would a true friend hurt you? Honestly, this was once a struggle for me. I remember thinking to myself that the only friends I will keep in this life are those who will never hurt me.

I thought that if someone becomes my friend, we will always understand each other so there will never be a room for arguments.

Reading that last sentence makes me cringe right now and I hope that I'm the only one who thought that way because obviously that was a very conceited view with no point for growth.

I'm blessed to have found people who taught me that arguments and misunderstandings are necessary part of relational maturity.

I learned through them that friendship is a two-way relationship and it cannot revolve around me and my feelings. They endured me for a very long time, even when I told them I no longer consider them as my friends which eventually led to my realization of my fault and embracing the outcome of our differences.

Yes, a die-hard friend offers sincere advices that sometimes may cut deep but know that the wounds are worth it because they are meant for your good. Trust in their love and use it to overcome the pain.
 
So again, what is a friend?

A friend is someone who will grow with you, who will cry with you but continues to encourage you, who will laugh out loud with you but most importantly, who will be willing to shield your anger just to rebuke you in love. As Proverbs 27:9 NLT says, "The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense."

When you find a friend who does not only make you feel good, happy and hype but also tells you straight-faced that you are going the wrong way, don't let them go.

They are made of Iron, strong and shining and they will sharpen you and never let you be rusty.

Keep the Iron friend!