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Have You Ever Had a Fairweather Friend?

 
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Have You Ever Had a Fairweather Friend? - 8/27/2008 12:49:22 AM   
imit8him

 

Posts: 221
Status: offline
Have you ever had a friend(s) that seemed so nice around you, but then would disappear and/or be unsupportive during tough times?

I have been struggling physically, financially, and emotionally lately and have noticed how some of my "friends" have kind of either backed away from me or disappeared. It's frustrating because I can't tell if it's me or them (or both)....I don't think I've done anythign wrong. I've just been down a bit and not feeling physically well and dealing with some other things, but it's like my friends don't initiate anything with me or respond to simple emails or calls....I've thought carefully about it and it seems like sometimes people around you don't want to be around someone who is struggling....like they only want to enjoy life and if something is impeding their enjoyment, they take off and find someone or osmething else to make them happy.

I'm not exactly sure, but that's how I saw things. It's weird when you're ill and struggling to get through work and other things and people know this and instead of offering support, they just go hang out with someone else. ...

I was just wondering recently whether I have these kind of friends....I think I do sadly. Then again, it's hard to tell. Anyone have these types of experiences before? Did you ever questio nwhether you had fairweather type friends?

Ho hum.... ...hehe

-Imit
Post #: 1
RE: Have You Ever Had a Fairweather Friend? - 8/27/2008 1:10:19 AM   
ebony101


Posts: 1077
Joined: 4/1/2007
From: the big blue marble
Status: offline
Nope I can't recall any recent experiences that I've had with fairweather friends. But I think that if people hang around you only during the good times, and disappear when times get tough then they aren't friends at all, just acquaintances.

_____________________________

'We're writing a gospel, a chapter each day,
By the things that we do & the words that we say.'
Post #: 2
RE: Have You Ever Had a Fairweather Friend? - 8/27/2008 10:14:23 AM   
rgod


Posts: 1775
Joined: 4/25/2005
Status: offline
imit8him,

I'm sorry to hear that you are struggling. I've been there and understand how you feel. What I've found is that many people have cycled in and out of my life. Often people are at different stages and different seasons in their lives. During the good times, everyone wants to be your friend. What I've noticed, is when I've been through storms, often there would be a couple of people who would really stick through it with me and the rest would fall away (or fade into the distance). I'm also blessed that my family has always been with me. (I'm not married, but my mom, dad, sister, and aunts are amazing. I feel very blessed.) Sometimes in rough times, someone totally unexpected that I hadn't considered to be a close friend, turned out to really provide support. But often a lot of people would drop away. It is painful when you've supported someone else but when you need support they desert you. I've had that happen quite a few times in my life. At one point I I was so hurt and disappointed that I did the wrong thing - I closed up and didn't reach out any more. But I've learned to forgive them and not let that keep me from reaching out to others.

On the flip side, I've not always been the best friend. I didn't run from pain so I'd always listen or try to be helpful - never talked about people - kept confidences. But I didn't always initiate contact or take that step that would have made a difference in someone's life. And there are many times when I wouldn't open up - so there would be a distance there. So I had to learn to do those things so that I could provide more support. And I had to learn how to grow relationships, step by step.

I think too, that there are seasons in our lives when we are alone, suffering, and it is just us and God. He sends people to be a comfort or a help but he is the primary focal point - the friend who sticks closer than a brother. And there are times when you feel utterly alone too - you aren't hearing from God - but you are just hanging on. This time - "the dark night of the soul" - doesn't last forever - but it can be difficult. All of these things are part of the walk and I think that the Lord uses these things to teach us many things, including how to be a better friend to others and how to be more compassionate (these were my lessons at least). I always think about Jesus - he called the disciples friends, even though he knew they were going to betray him less than a day later and that he would die on the cross almost alone (just John and Mary there). He obviously did nothing wrong. But there was purpose in all that he suffered, just as there is purpose in your suffering now. Now Jesus has many friends and He is always our true Friend.

So I guess what I'm saying is - going through tough times and being alone doesn't always mean that it is something that you've done wrong. You can look back and see if you've been a good friend to others - and it might yield some insight if you haven't - but regardless, it is a season of time when you have to press into God. Or, He might provide friendship and support from unexpected places - and in unexpected packages (true friends don't always look the way we think that they do).

I'll pray for you that the Lord will send you friendships that he's designed to be in your life - the Jonathan/David kind of friendship. You be blessed today.

rgod
Post #: 3
RE: Have You Ever Had a Fairweather Friend? - 8/27/2008 10:30:53 AM   
NoShow

 

Posts: 454
Joined: 5/10/2005
Status: offline
I call them acquaintances.

I have some really good friends, some I've known for close to 30 years. And my sister is also a good "friend". So when I make new "friends", I really think of them as acquaintances, until things show me that they truly are "friends" (though I say friends when I talk about them, because calling them acquaintance seems to make people feel funny). But when it comes down to it, my friends (usually) come through and my acquaintances disappear until after the storm has passed.

The other side of the coin is my friends do want to be "bothered" when I have a problem and my acquaintances don't. So I learned along time ago, to be able to tell the difference and to make sure that I put friends before acquaintances.
Post #: 4
RE: Have You Ever Had a Fairweather Friend? - 8/27/2008 11:36:20 AM   
imdeanam


Posts: 127
Joined: 7/21/2007
From: Washington state
Status: offline
quote:

I'm sorry to hear that you are struggling. I've been there and understand how you feel. What I've found is that many people have cycled in and out of my life. Often people are at different stages and different seasons in their lives. During the good times, everyone wants to be your friend. What I've noticed, is when I've been through storms, often there would be a couple of people who would really stick through it with me and the rest would fall away (or fade into the distance). I'm also blessed that my family has always been with me. (I'm not married, but my mom, dad, sister, and aunts are amazing. I feel very blessed.) Sometimes in rough times, someone totally unexpected that I hadn't considered to be a close friend, turned out to really provide support. But often a lot of people would drop away. It is painful when you've supported someone else but when you need support they desert you. I've had that happen quite a few times in my life. At one point I I was so hurt and disappointed that I did the wrong thing - I closed up and didn't reach out any more. But I've learned to forgive them and not let that keep me from reaching out to others.

On the flip side, I've not always been the best friend. I didn't run from pain so I'd always listen or try to be helpful - never talked about people - kept confidences. But I didn't always initiate contact or take that step that would have made a difference in someone's life. And there are many times when I wouldn't open up - so there would be a distance there. So I had to learn to do those things so that I could provide more support. And I had to learn how to grow relationships, step by step.

I think too, that there are seasons in our lives when we are alone, suffering, and it is just us and God. He sends people to be a comfort or a help but he is the primary focal point - the friend who sticks closer than a brother. And there are times when you feel utterly alone too - you aren't hearing from God - but you are just hanging on. This time - "the dark night of the soul" - doesn't last forever - but it can be difficult. All of these things are part of the walk and I think that the Lord uses these things to teach us many things, including how to be a better friend to others and how to be more compassionate (these were my lessons at least). I always think about Jesus - he called the disciples friends, even though he knew they were going to betray him less than a day later and that he would die on the cross almost alone (just John and Mary there). He obviously did nothing wrong. But there was purpose in all that he suffered, just as there is purpose in your suffering now. Now Jesus has many friends and He is always our true Friend.

So I guess what I'm saying is - going through tough times and being alone doesn't always mean that it is something that you've done wrong. You can look back and see if you've been a good friend to others - and it might yield some insight if you haven't - but regardless, it is a season of time when you have to press into God. Or, He might provide friendship and support from unexpected places - and in unexpected packages (true friends don't always look the way we think that they do).

I'll pray for you that the Lord will send you friendships that he's designed to be in your life - the Jonathan/David kind of friendship. You be blessed today.


I whole-heartedly agree! I understand. I have been there and and there now. God is always there, I try to remember that. Keep leaning into Him. And He will bring people at exactly the right time. Keep reaching out.

_____________________________

Live out loud!
Post #: 5
RE: Have You Ever Had a Fairweather Friend? - 8/27/2008 11:58:01 AM   
deermousie


Posts: 1945
Joined: 9/26/2007
Status: online
I have a dear friend I've known since high school. Life has taken us in totally different directions but our friendship remains. She is married to a guy who moves in very high circles, while basically I'm a lady farmer. I hang out with cows.

Most of their friends also are fairly well-to-do and have high status in society.

But a few years back, he lost his job, his high income and his status. And all their friends "got busy" elsewhere. I'm guessing it was because they didn't know how to relate to them and, while grieving their loss, didn't know how to smoothly comfort them. So they just disappeared, maybe because it was easier for them.

They're not evil, just uncomfortable and ungracious (stemming from a selfishness that doesn't want to have to give to any great extent). I'm guessing that's a lot of where the fairweather friend idea comes from.

People are sinners, and it's a real pain. God may be using times like this to drive us to Himself, the real only Person we can depend on. So we climb up into His lap, rest a while, and tell Him our hurts. We feed on His Word like sheep in a lush pasture, and He gives us what we need. And then we go back out and bless others. And maybe a few of them will bless us, too, but if not, we keep on keeping on, doing His work and getting our needs met by Him in His ways.

God bless you, dear one. Keep on keeping on, and may He meet your needs in a wonderful way today! (((Hugs)))

_____________________________

Want to know where a certain word or phrase in the Bible is found? www.biblegateway.com Yay!
Post #: 6
RE: Have You Ever Had a Fairweather Friend? - 8/27/2008 3:01:48 PM   
allisonbrett


Posts: 205
Joined: 5/29/2008
Status: offline
Sure.

Many years ago when my ex-husband left my young dd and I for another woman my married friends all the sudden disappeared. It was like I had the plague. Part of it I think was that they didn't know what to say or how to say it but another part may have been that it reminded them that no marriage is divorce proof. No one wants to be reminded of a fragility of marriage. I wonder how many of them took their marriage for granted then realized that you just can't let autopilot run your marriage. Either way, I lost a lot of people I called friends. Maybe you'd call them mere acquaintences but I managed to find new friends that helped me through some very difficult days indeed.

Another reasons some friends may disappear may be that they don't want to have to think or even worry over your problems while dealing with their own. I've known too many that want to one-up you in a sense. My problems are worse than yours... almost a competition.

Overall, I think we all tend to get busy and if we don't feel like we can relate or help then we may make ourselves scarce. I know I'm guilty for not taking the time to reach out to others who are hurting. Even though I do stay very busy its no excuse for not being a good friend to someone who is hurting.

_____________________________

Allison's World My Blog
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