“If one falls, the other can help his friend get up. But how tragic it is for the one who is [all] alone when he falls. There is no one to help him get up” Ecclesiastes 4:10
God’s Word Translation
In this fast paced, move-or-I move you twenty-first century environment, very few persons pay attention to relationships and that maybe a major reason for the increased rate of depression and suicide in the world today. It almost goes without saying that humans are wired for association. Loneliness is not a good state. Hence, a well-balanced human should forge and maintain the following helpful relationships
Friends
Friends are an essential component of life. We all need friends for reasons too many to mention! Please note that I am not referring to superficial friends who only like and comment on your social media posts but in reality, they make no significant contribution to your life. Celebrities have millions of followers on social media but many of them are still depressed and lonely! Social media friendliness does not equate real life friendship. You need real friends with whom you can be honest, who can pray with you and for you, and to whom you can bare your soul and still feel safe. In the end, we all just need someone to lean on. So, do you really have friends?
Mentors
The prudent sees the evil and hides himself, But the naive go on, and are punished for it. Proverbs 22:3 (NASB)
We all face challenges and arrive at critical decision-making crossroads. At those times, we need a mentor. A mentor is an experienced and trusted adviser; someone who can guide you on paths that they have walked before you. Someone once said, “If I am able to see far, it is because I have stood on the shoulders of those who have gone ahead of me” and that is so profound because those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat history. There is a thin line of difference between role models and mentors; a role model is someone you aspire to become like while a mentor is someone who guides you on the path to becoming. So, it follows that while you might not have a personal relationship with a role model, it is very important to have a personal relationship with a mentor. It is not too late to have a mentor if you do not currently have one.
In subsequent posts, we will be taking a look at some other valuable relationships that you should forge and maintain.
Have a great day!
