Having Friends Who Aren’t Like You

Navigating Friendships and Faith in Different Seasons

Have you ever struggled to find friends who share your faith or balance friendships with different beliefs? 

Candace opens up the conversation by asking Natasha and Allie about their experiences growing up and finding friends. Natasha shares, "I was friends with everyone, but I never really belonged anywhere."

Allie adds, "I was always looking and searching for that friend group growing up." Both women highlight the struggle of finding like-minded friends who share their faith, especially during their formative years.

Allie reminisces about her high school days and encourages listeners to look for quality over quantity in friendships: "Don't just go for the popular people. Look for the people that God is trying to bring into your life."

Candace emphasizes the importance of having friends from different backgrounds and beliefs. She says, "I have lots of close friends in my life that don't believe the same things I believe in." Natasha reflects on her childhood, sharing, "Most of my friends were Jewish. I went to their house for Shabbat on Fridays, and it opened up so much conversation."

Allie also shares her experience with her best friend: "She was Catholic, but she really wasn't practicing. We didn't share the same faith at the time, but we grew together."

Candace adds, "Jesus was a friend of sinners. He didn't come to save the perfect people; He came to save the sinner, which we all are."

She talks about how friendships can be seasonal, saying, "Friendships have come in seasons for me. My best friend since I was 15 is still my best friend, but other friends have been seasonal." Natasha agrees, "I've had so many different quote-unquote best friends due to moving frequently and changing schools."

Allie shares a poignant moment about letting go of friendships that aren't life-giving: "I've had seasons of letting go of friendships, not because of distance, but because of the way they affected my life." Natasha echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of quality over comfort in friendships.

Listener Questions and Practical Advice for Navigating Friendships

A listener named Julia asks, "What do you do for a freshman navigating high school without any Christian friends?" Allie responds, "That was me. I had a hard time making friends, but God brought Carol into my life." Natasha adds, "Stay diligent in who you are and faithful that the Lord will provide."

Candace also shares practical advice: "If God doesn't provide that Christian friend in school, it may be from another place like your youth group or church. Don't forget, there is social media. You might find that Christian friend online."

Navigating friendships and faith can be challenging, but as Candace, Allie, and Natasha demonstrate, it's possible to find meaningful connections and grow personally through various seasons of life. Whether you're struggling to find friends who share your beliefs or learning to balance friendships with different views, remember that quality, respect, and faithfulness are key.

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