How to Get Rid of Toxic Friendships.
It's obvious that whoever you surround yourself with, can change your life for better or for worse. You have to be careful about who you call your friends. Do you ever feel uncomfortable around them? Do you ever feel pressured into doing things you do not want to participate in? Have you been getting into more trouble? Ask yourself these questions and then re-evaluate who you hang out with. If they are bad influences, let them know you can't hangout with them anymore, because in order to be faithful to God, you must get rid of the bad energies in your life.
Personal relationships have an influence on how you feel about yourself. If these relationships are making you feel not worth, the relationship is most likely toxic. If these so called friends are bringing you down or making you feel less than them, you've chosen the wrong friend.
I've been in several friendships that took me a long time to realize I shouldn't be hanging out with them. In fifth grade, I had two best friends. I'm going to give them different names. My main best friend was Shelby and my other best friend was Rosa. Shelby and I had been best friends since third grade, and she lived in the back of my neighborhood, so we were always together. Come fifth grade, we became best friends with Rosa too. I was closer to Rosa, but then Shelby started ditching me to hangout with her. It didn't bother me that they hung out, but they would keep it as a secret like I would get mad.
Fast forward to sixth grade. They had five classes together and I had one each with them. I remember how terribly our friendships had ended. They decided to hang out with someone they didn't even like and kept it a secret from me. When I had found out and asked Shelby about it she flipped out on me. She said she would ruin my life and that her and Rosa would beat me up. Obviously, they didn't because i'm stronger than that and won't take it. One time, they took my sweatshirt and drew rude, vile stuff all over it. I just laughed it off, because it was so dumb and childish.
This was a sign of toxic friendships from the beginning, it just took me a while to open my eyes and notice it. If you don't know how to get rid of these people in your life, here are some tips!
1. Explain how you feel.
In order for them to become a better friend, explain to them how they have hurt you and made you feel. Don't yell at them for what they've done. That's a big no. If you yell at them, they could easily switch the fault onto you which we don't want.
2. Pray about it.
Ask God to help you end this friendship. Ask him to give you the strength to stand up for yourself. Ask for peace throughout the conversation and your life after. Ask him for uplifting and loving friends! Even though, he is the bestest friend!
3. Apologize.
Even if you don't feel you should apologize, do it anyways. Let this person know that you are sorry if you stirred anything up, or if you gave them a reason to be rude to you. The first to apologize is the bravest.
4. Forgive them.
Forgiveness is key! Don't hold a grudge and be rude to them. God forgave you for everything you have done. If God can forgive you for stealing a dollar out of your mom's purse, you can forgive someone for not saying the nicest things. The first to forgive is the strongest.
"As the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive"
- Colosians 3:13
In conclusion, I hope this helped you get rid of some negative energy in your life and add some amazing people in your life. Every tip listed truly does help and I hope you can trust in God to help you and be the best friend anyone could ever have!
