Wednesday; February 19

Have you ever found yourself stuck between two feuding friends?  Whether it was at home, work, school or even out in the community, have you been on good terms with two people who were mad at each other?  While this may seem like an adolescent issue, it can (and does) happen when we become adults.  There are times when we will be called upon to maintain relationships with people who have severed ties with each other.  When that happens, what should we do?  Here are a couple of suggestions:

1.  Maintain friendships with each of the people independent of the relationship with the other person.  Don’t get sucked into the trap of having to choose one relationship over the other.  We should do our best to keep on good terms with both friends.

2.  Don’t talk to one friend about the other.  There is a temptation to get involved in the hard feelings they have with each other.  Sure, if you can be a peacemaker, that’s great, but if not, don’t fuel the flame of bitterness by talking badly of the other person.  In fact, this might be good time to not talk about the other person at all.

3.  Don’t invest in their argument.  In addition to not choosing one side over the other, we should avoid making an assessment of which of our two acquaintances is more “right” than the other.  Each one of them needs a friend – be the support they both need.

         Yes, it can be tough to maintain two separate relationships with people who aren’t getting along, but why should we alienate our friendship with people who aren’t getting along with each other?  I don’t know about you, but I need all the friends I can get, whether they choose to get along with each other or not! 
          Think About It!

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