Who sharpens you?

Proverbs 27:17: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
Iron sharpens iron- You will have various friends in your life but is there at least one who will be this for you?

Do you have at least one friend who is willing to push you to be more Godly in your attitudes?

Do you have in your life such a friend, a friend who has permission to challenge you where necessary to help you to grow, or will they just pet you and allow you to remain the same because they just say what they think you want to hear?

It is certainly easier to take advice, especially if there is an element of challenge in it, when you know that the person giving it cares for you and has your best interests at heart.

Not that your whole relationship is about challenging one another but there definitely needs to be this element in it.

The Word is clear, we were designed and placed here for a specific purpose, let’s mean business about discovering this purpose and growing and changing into the strong, whole, productive people God intends us to be.

Let’s be careful that we don’t have the Fairy Godmother syndrome.

“This is where we don’t want to be challenged, we want to be changed.”

Sometimes I think it would be sooo much easier (and preferable!) to have God sprinkle fairy dust over me and touch my head with a wand, but as lovely as that would be, it just doesn’t happen!!

We still have to climb the mountains, but having Godly friendships means that we have someone who can say, “Hey I’ve been there, let me tell you where I put my hands and feet to climb up, let me help you along the way.”
God is not a Fairy Godmother; He is much too wise to give us the easy way- the instant fix.

He knows we need to learn discipline if we are to grow into the strong, whole, productive people He designed us to be.

A few practical tips:

1. Take responsibility for your own growth

Do you really mean it when you say you want to learn from others- even if what they say challenges where you’re at and requires hard work and change; or do you get offended and give up?

2. Realise that people are busy with their own lives so don’t be too sensitive; they will make time for you if you ask, just because they aren’t falling all over you does not mean they don’t care, love is a decision and they will help if asked.

3. Do not for a moment think that, “I can’t talk to someone because no one is going through my exact situation.” Although situations vary, the lessons and principles learnt are applicable across different situations.
For example, if you need to learn to stand then standing is standing no matter what it is that you’re standing through!

4. “My Son, be attentive to my Wisdom- godly wisdom learned by actual and costly experience.” (Proverbs 5 in the Amplified Bible)

Do not despise the experiences of others, sometimes a person may see things in our lives that need speaking into; know that that person has your best interests at heart.

Let us work at earning the right to speak into each other’s lives, to speak encouragement, life and strength to each other, this is why we have been placed together, it is what we are meant to do!
Proverbs 27:17: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”

Carolyn