Why Do We Even Ask For Advice? What Constitutes Being a REAL Friend? Part II

Did you miss Part I?

Here is the crux of my gripe: Even in this, I emphatically state that I don't want you to waste my time and yours seeking my advice if you know in your heart of hearts that you are not ready in your soul to turn around and do the right thing. (Seeking advice versus just wanting a listening ear or validation of your feelings are completely different things).

'But Moses said, "O Lord, please send someone else to do it." Moses said to the Lord, "I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nnor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue". The Lord said to him, "Who gave man is mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say"'. Exodus 4: 13, 10-12.

I'm preaching to myself as I post. Been happening alot lately...hmmm.
If you are wondering where all of this angst is coming from, here are the catalysts for this post:

One situation involves a friend of mine who is not making the best choice she could make concerning her relationship with her man according to God's Word. And she knows it...but yet she always wants Godly advice concerning their relationship everytime she sees me - which honestly is starting to be more often than I'd like.

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own."
I Corinthians 6: 19

I do the best I can, asking God to help me help her. But I am starting to feel really drained. I am starting to feel a sinking feeling at the sight of her. And I feel real guilty about that. How do I know that these are not 'appointments' that I am entrusted with to lead her onto the path of the Godly? And I am that qualified person to lead her? Why me, Lord? Good googa mooga! (Stop laughing!) I could give you a whole list of reasons of why not me! Maybe I could take a lesson from Isaiah.

'Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" Isaiah 6:8

But I wonder, just how many times does she want to hear the 'right thing'? Deep down, why does she keep coming to me? I have kept silent when necessary and just listened and been a supportive friend, offered advice when asked, I've shared scripture when appropriate, I've asked God just what to say to her. But Lord, this is exhausting me - being the loving, supportive friend, yet standing by watching her flounder around. That part is really hard. The watching...all I know to do is pray for her. Help me know what else to do for her, Lord. I love her as one of my dear sisters in Christ, and I want to 'have her back' in her time of need, but Lord, this constant asking me for biblical based advice, and then consistently ignoring it has me scratching my head in irritation. I guess I am guilty of imposing the 'allowed time frame' that dictates by what point in time our friends and loved ones are to 'get it right'. You know how we do...especially us church folks.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." I Corinthians 13: 4, 5, 7


Click here for Part III