"Frienemies"

What often derails us is the unexpected. We should not embrace lives of fear and mistrust; However, we should not be surprised when those who proclaim to be with us convert from friends to foes. This reality is often necessary so that we learn to trust only the Lord and do not dependent on others to reach the place to which the Lord has called us.

We should not be surprised if the strongest dancer in our ministry seeks to replace us. Revenge must be resisted when we discover that our fellow dance ministers have been gossiping about us. Dancers who seemingly betray us by stealing our ideas will teach us widsom down the road. Heartache must not take up long-term residency when we are falsely accused and berated. We must bear our own cross.

Knowing that the Word warns us that these things will happen should make us better prepared when they occur. The pain of abandonment and broken relationships is very real. The enemy of our souls would desire to see that these hardships would cause us to give up and walk away from the ministry. Our Lord wants to see us prevail as more than conquerors through Him.

Jesus Himself knows the sting of betrayal on account of Judas. This was necessary in order for Him to complete His mission for this world. Our experiences are also pivotal, and we must embrace the life that results from trials. Let us not make the mistake of assuming that everyone who started out with us meant to harm us from the beginning. Judas served with Jesus in ministry, and then later allowed the enemy to enter in. Both friends and enemies are vital to our lives. Without enemies, the Lord would not be able to prepare a table before us in their presence.

Job 19:19 (NKJV)
All my close friends abhor me, and those whom I love have turned against me.

Psalm 41:9 (NKJV)
Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.

Zechariah 13:6 (NKJV)
And one will say to him, ‘What are these wounds between your arms?’ Then he will answer, ‘Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.’

Luke 21:16 (NKJV)
You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death.

Luke 22:1-4 (NKJV)
Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called Passover. And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might kill Him, for they feared the people. Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve. So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them.