Friendships | Girls Gone Bible 54:39

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Filter through the mind of Christ. We surrender to you. Girls Gone Bible belongs to you. May we be your mouthpiece, your hands and your feet to do your work, to spread the gospel. Heavenly Father, this is not about us. This is all about you. Anything we say comes through you, Jesus. We also hope this message reaches everyone in such a way that they build their friendships and find friendships in Jesus' name. In Jesus' name, amen. All right. Are we rolling? Are we good?

Hello, GGV fam. Happy Friday, you guys. How are you? We don't ever do an intro, so we have to start doing that. If you're new to Girls Gone Bible, my name is Angela. My name is Ari. And this is a podcast where we talk about Jesus and the Bible and life and all of that.

All those things. And it's okay if you're not Christian. We encourage you to stay because we talk about a multitude of things. And I think that every episode could inspire you even if you don't know what we're talking about. It's a Bible for degenerates. Truly. Jesus for degenerates. It really is. Today we're going to be talking about friendships.

Friendships are the most important thing. Yeah, and it's one of our most requested topics. I think a lot of people see our friendship and, you know, not to toot our own horn, but some people are a little inspired by it because we have a very genuine friendship and we love each other so much. And friendships, just like every other part of life, can be really difficult sometimes to navigate. And we have so much to talk about. But today we're going to start, first of all, actually...

Ari has a confession to make. What? Wait, what? Can you update everyone where you are at with your ratnophobia? Oh, she... Yeah, okay. Fear of spiders. I didn't want to tell this story because it's actually really bad. Okay, then we don't have to tell it. No, no, no, we can't. Okay, I just feel bad. I'm like, I just out my friend. No, this is bad, you guys. I'm on the highway and...

My life consists now of when I'm in my house and in the car, I'm just looking everywhere if there's spiders. I've never seen so many in my life. You guys know I have such a phobia of them. Anyway, so of course, I'm on the highway in traffic and I look up and what is crawling on my mirror? This big spider. I have a complete panic attack. I cannot breathe. I call Angela. I'm like, I can't breathe. Help me.

And she's like, R, please, it's okay. It's okay. And I'm like, no. And then I felt it on my body and I completely start going like this. And what happens? I crashed into the car in front of me.

When I heard her say, because at first, so we get on the phone and I mute it, right? Because I'm laughing because it's funny. I can't help it. I know. It's not funny, Angela. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I love you. I'm here for you, for your phobia. But it's just so funny when you call me and there's nothing I can do for you. She'll call me when I'm in Florida and she'll be screaming. And I'm like, there's nothing I can do. But like, I'm here to give you support.

So I mute it and I'm laughing because I'm like, ha ha ha, O-R, her antics and whatever. And then when I hear, oh my gosh, I just crashed. Oh my gosh, I just crashed. I go...

You're kidding. You're actually joking right now. The girl felt so bad for me. I go, I'm so sorry. She knew. I would feel bad for you, too. I would definitely not go through insurance. Can you tell who wears the pants in our relationship? We both wear the pants. You really think? When do I wear the pants?

I don't want to wear the pants. No, we equally wear the pants. You think so? Yeah. I can't believe... So this is what a true edifying friendship looks like. Ari brought something to my attention yesterday, and I've been dwelling on it for about 24 hours. She told me that I...

that I'm sensitive and that like sometimes when she wants to confront me about something or like criticize me, she gets a little bit nervous. I have not stopped thinking about it for 24 hours because here's the thing. And it's a pride thing. And I remember I read a book, The Bait of Satan, and it talks all about pride. And I was like, oh, I don't have pride. I read the book and I'm like, I have so much pride. It's not even funny. I like when you first come to me,

my ego will be like, there's no way. There's no way I got that wrong or there's no way I'm doing that wrong or whatever. And then, but like, I will like,

take in what you're saying and then I'll eventually you always come around I do come around but I need to work on like coming around in the moment I just take such pride in being real with my friends like I have to be real and I never want my friends to feel uncomfortable and feel like they have to hide things from me when I'm being honest but I think that's really important in a friendship is to be honest you guys

And even today, so we're in the car and I pick her up this morning and I'm like, listen, I've been dwelling for a long time. Like, do you really feel like I'm too sensitive and you can't tell? And she's like, it's not that I can't tell you. I'm just sometimes I'm afraid. Like, I don't want you to think I'm judgy. And I literally go, I don't care if I get mad at you or if I yell at you or if I this, that and the other. You better be honest with me regardless. I'm giving you permission regardless of my reaction. Yeah, you're so. What did I say to you? Oh, yeah. I said you're too sensitive. Yeah. You're too sensitive.

All right, so today we're going to read one of the most beautiful stories on friendship in the Bible, and that is Ruth. So... I love this story. I love Ruth. This is in the Old Testament. And should we give a little background on what's going on? Yeah, why don't you say what you were saying to me last night? Okay, so this story is about... The friendship aspect of it is between Ruth and Naomi. Naomi is Ruth's mother-in-law.

So there's Naomi and her husband, and then they have two children. Their names are really hard to pronounce, and I didn't look it up, so I'm not going to try. But they have two sons, and then the sons have wives, and that's Ruth and Orpah. Nothing was funnier than last night when Ari called her Oprah.

It's Orpah, not Oprah. We're in this with you guys. We're learning. I go, I can't believe her name was Oprah. And I look close and I'm like, yo, that's Orpah. But so...

There was at the time a famine in Israel and they were in Bethlehem and there was no food so they traveled to Moab. And Ruth and Orpah are both from Moab. Moabites and Israelites are not fans of each other. They don't like each other. They have different religion. Israelites believe in God, the one God, and then Moabites believe in multiple gods.

And so they travel from Israel to Moab. And along the way, all three husbands die. Naomi's husband dies and both of her sons die. And so they're left with three widows. And we'll take it up from there. And it's just it's such a beautiful story about faithfulness, friendship, loyalty, being there for people when they're down. So.

We're going to do Ruth chapter 1 and start at 1. Verse 1. Okay.

The name of his wife was Naomi. And the names of the two sons were Milan and Chilian, Ephrathites of Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to the country of Moab and remained there. When Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died and she was left and her two sons,

Talk about grief for Naomi.

And Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, Go, return each of her mother's house.

In this context, what that means when she says, "...the Lord grant that you may find rest," rest is referred to the security that's found in marriage. "...and they said to her, Surely we will return with you to your people."

But Naomi said,

If I should have a husband tonight and I should also bear sons, would you wait for them till they were grown? Would you restrain yourselves from having husbands? No, my daughters, for it grieves me very much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord has gone out against me. Then they lifted up their voices and wept again.

And Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her. And she said, Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods. Return after your sister-in-law. But Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave you or to turn back from following after you. For wherever you go, I will go. And wherever you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.

Where you die, I will die. And there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me. And more also, if anything but death parts you and me. Wherever you go, I will go. Beautiful. We're stopping there, right? Yeah. Okay. Yeah, this passage right here at Ruth 1.

verses 16 and 17, entreat me not to leave you or to turn back from following after you. Wherever you go, I will go. Your people shall be my people and your God, my God. So Orpah not only left Israel,

Her mother-in-law and the people and all of that, she also left God. Because she went to return to Moab where they worship gods that are not the true God. And homegirl Ruth, really, not only was she loyal to her mother-in-law, not only was she loyal to her husband that has passed, now she's loyal to God. And I just think that we'll talk about loyalty, we'll talk about everything, but I don't know...

It's probably in the top five most important things in life and characteristics to have is loyalty. Absolutely. I mean, yeah, that's probably the... For me, I mean, where I'm from, like, that's the number one thing is loyalty. That's what I value so much in you and I's friendship is I can count on you to be so loyal, like you are so loyal to a fault. I just... It's, for me, the number one loyalty. Are you going to be a loyal...

Yeah, can I trust that if my name is brought up in a room where I'm not there, are you going to handle it to where I don't even need to defend myself? Are you going to do the right thing when no one's watching and have my back? You know what I mean? You know, in Ruth chapter two, we wanted to read this as well because it's a really... It's when Ruth meets her future husband, Boaz, who is of...

Boaz is a relative of Naomi's husband's family, right? So he's like a distant relative. They know each other. Naomi, Ruth goes into the field where Boaz is and she kind of like almost presents herself to be seen by him. And this is what he says to her. It's Ruth chapter 2 verse 10.

So she, Ruth, fell on her face and bowed down to the ground and said to him, Why have I found favor in your eyes that you should take notice of me since I am a foreigner? And Boaz answered and said to her, It has been fully reported to me all that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you have left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and have come to a people whom you did not know before.

The Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given to you by the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.

I love that. And then Angela and I were reading and we read down and it explains, Boaz explained that he favored Ruth because she had shown loyal love to her mother-in-law, Naomi. He then gave her a blessing, asking that God would be abundantly reward to Ruth in a remarkable way. And it's true when you show loyal love. The other thing I love about Ruth too is that she was a servant, right?

And I think that's really important also, even in friendships, is to serve, to be a servant. And had she not been a servant, you know, her destiny, I don't think, would have came true. Like she she Boaz saw how much she served. And that's why she was so rewarded. Yeah. Which is so beautiful. I just think it's really important to be at service to others. A hundred percent. And a lot of people have such egos like I don't want to do that.

I don't want to serve. David called himself a servant over and over again. Daniel found favor in the eyes of the kingdom because he was a servant. Jesus said, I didn't come to be served. I came to serve. Yeah. You know? 100%. God really, really rewards loyalty. Yeah.

I think it's a really high character trait to have. It's the most important. If you're loyal to nothing, you'll fall for everything. I mean, it's just like very basic, but it's really it's lost on a lot of people. You can't just be loyal to something or somebody because it benefits you in the moment. And then when it's no longer benefiting you, you know.

your loyalty will lie elsewhere. I know, like, I come from a family and a culture where the truth is we have blind loyalty. We're loyal whether you're right or you're wrong, whether you're up or you're down. And, you know, sometimes having that type of loyalty can put you out in a way, but I don't care. I would rather be like that.

Me too. I mean, Ruth really pledges that no matter what kind of love to Naomi. And that's why I loved this story so much, because I feel like that's our friendship. We have that no matter what kind of love, no matter what you're going through, no matter what, I'll be right there for you to pick up the pieces. You know what I love?

You know, my favorite thing about this story, because it really does remind me of our friendship, because Ruth and Naomi...

Their true bond was bred in the midst of grief. And strong grief, profound grief. And when one was weak, the other one had to be strong. And you and I, that's what we are built on. Like one day I give 80, you can give 20. The next day you give 90, I can only give 10. Oh, yeah, that's what's so beautiful about our friendship. I love it. Truly. And I don't know if, you know, I love this story, but I don't know if anyone knows about me and Ari's friendship.

the beginning of our friendship, I'll just say it very quickly. We became friends in a time where we were going through so much in our personal lives. We were both, you know, having a lot of issues, both sad, both swore off men. We were both like we...

we need to we need to get right we need to get our heads right and then we dove into the bible together we watched the chosen series every night together we read the bible every morning we had sleepovers upon sleepovers and we got so close to god together little did we know it's because of this like we had no idea what he was planning but you know what i love about our friendship too we always hold each other accountable for god yeah you know if we're not

diving into the word you'll be like did you read the bible today come on we need to sit down we need to have jesus time in the morning and that to me i've never experienced that in a friendship yeah and i think that's what makes our friendship so beautiful is that we really like the way we love god together i just he just knew he just i will look at you sometimes and i'll be like

Jesus knew exactly what he was doing. I mean... It's so true. People... I went to go get a facial the other day by the same girl Ari referred me. I go and get the facial. She goes...

Are you guys the same person? She goes, you guys are the same person. We are so similar. It's crazy. But that no matter what love Jesus offers. Yeah. And we get a lot of questions like, how do I find friendships like yours? Like, how do I how do I find that? Where do I find that in the church?

Just praying on it, being open, saying yes to everything. I really... I always grew up with... I've had my friends since I was a kid, so I've always had a really big group of girlfriends, but...

I really needed new friendships during the time where I was going through a lot. And then when I had met you, I feel like typically I just be like, oh yeah, she's nice, but I don't really make an effort because I already have my friend group. Yeah. But I feel like with you, I really, with each other, like we put in effort, like I kept saying yes to things and I said, hey, why don't you come and we'll hang out? And I kept, we kept texting each other. So I think,

saying yes to things and really putting in effort and really praying on what kind of friends you are. God wants nothing more than for us to have beautiful friendships. And so just ask them. Absolutely. Ask them.

I have here, let's go over how we keep our friendship strong. I would start with saying we have incredible communication. I know I started off today saying that sometimes I might be sensitive, but I will say people, when we started Girls Gone Bible, we had so many people tell us, be careful, being best friends, doing business, blah, blah, whatever. I tell every single person,

There's nobody that I worry about less than Ari and I because our line of communication is so open. I could tell you anything. Like, I could literally, at any moment, if something bothers me or I don't like something or something feels weird, I have no issue coming to you because I know...

That you are the best person I've ever met. And like you have literally zero malicious intent. That anything that I say to you. You're immediately like I would never want you to feel that way. I love you. You know what I mean? We love each other in the most genuine way. That we're able to have that communication. I've always said about you and I. Zero ego. Zero ego. You cannot have ego. I spoke about this in the last one. But I really...

I always say, okay, I actually love criticism. A lot of people can't take it. I love it. I want you to tell me how it is so I can fix it. And I think that's one thing we can all learn from is like really if someone's telling you how they feel, listen to them. And let's try to work through it together. I mean, friendships are a lot like relationships. Oh, yeah. They are relationships minus the romantic and emotional

intimate aspect you know what I mean yeah yeah you have to work out friendships the way that you work out relationships yeah another thing I oh um speaking life into each other and and I think that speaking life and accepting goes hand in hand I the one thing that you really do for me is you speak life into me we do it to each other like the same to me we're just always

It's like when I can't even get out of bed, like, she will literally be there to, like, take me and pull me out. Yeah. And speak life into me and praying over each other, praying for each other. That's a huge one. I mean, keeping our friendships centered in God is massive. Like, praying for each other keeps us so close and healthy. I will say that, like,

you speak so much life into me and I just, I know and I can tell too because I can tell the way you are about other people is an indication in how you are with me behind my back and behind closed doors. Like for example, you had something recently where you, there's somebody that you are no longer speaking to, whatever.

something good happened to this person and you know anybody else may have maybe not been upset about the good thing but at least not been genuinely happy seeing your face and the genuine happiness that you had for another person who did not deserve you to be happy for them I in that moment was like this is like truly somebody who needs to be protected at all costs yeah write down the name of the series talk about yours

What is that? I don't know what that says. Ginger? Oh, yeah. Anyways, can I give you a compliment? No, seriously. What is it? Just say it. We can cut it out. We don't need to write notes. No. Okay, so... Yes, yes, yes. Okay. No. No.

But you really are. I see the way that you act with other people and we can get on a whole thing about jealousy and competitiveness because nothing will ruin friendships more than jealousy and competitiveness. Yeah. And on the topic of that, I'll just say something about you. No. What I always look for in friendships, right, is like.

If you're in a group of friends and then say it's me and Angela and a couple of other girls and then they leave, is Angela going to start? If Angela starts talking about them right when they leave, I'm going to be like, well, what do you say about me when I leave? You have to be very careful with those kind of people. Yeah, absolutely. You know what? Thank you for bringing that up.

Because gossip is a huge thing that we need to talk about. God hates it. Yeah, we'll get into it. Yeah, I will say that Ari and I...

We spend our time and I really mean this. It doesn't mean that we have never talked about anyone. Of course we have when something is relevant to our lives, when something is a big deal, when something matters. But I can honestly say in the whole time we've been friends, you will have never caught us sitting there like bagging on somebody, talking bad about someone, making fun of them. We just don't do that. We don't spend our time talking about people.

And even because sometimes you can get caught up in the gossip of the media, too. Yeah. And like sometimes I'll catch myself like, hey, did you see what happened to her? And I'll tell you, especially since I've gotten so close to God, it makes me feel sick. Like I'll actually dwell about it. I'll be like, well, like, who am I? Why did I just do that? That's conviction. And that's God being like.

that's not that's not right yeah it doesn't feel good you think it feels good it doesn't feel good yeah so none of us are perfect we all have those moments of like we catch ourselves but be really aware of it because it's it's not good yeah it doesn't feel good god wouldn't want that for us and just remember we're all go that's another thing we're all going through something so we're

That's another big thing with me and friendships. And it's why I love you so much. Because I could be going through so many weird things, bad times. You will never leave my side for that. That's a huge one. Facing the storm with someone instead of walking out on them. Yeah. You know? And...

I just, yeah, I think that's a big one. And a lot of times when people aren't right in the head, they're not going to treat you right. And so I've had, I mean, I've had the same friends since I was like five years old. We've been through everything together. My friends have gone through grief, through pregnancy. And there are times where they, where they're just not their selves. They don't know how to treat me. I don't talk to them for weeks.

And then we'll pick back up like nothing. Yeah. Those are your soul sisters. And that's why, like, we got a lot of questions saying, well, what if, what if, like, they're not being right or they're not, I don't know what you guys are going through, but all I'm saying is nobody's going to be right all the time. I've gone through things where I've lashed out. I haven't been myself. I couldn't be there for someone. Yeah. And,

I just think that the friends that still stick by your side through that, hold on to them. They're the special ones. And I believe, like, friends are angels. They're treasures. Yeah. People that stick by you through those times, it's so important. Yeah.

I like what you said about how sometimes you weren't there for people or if you weren't right. And I think we need to because, of course, you want to look for someone who's going to be there for you through everything. Right. And then I also think we need to manage our expectations on people because the truth is life happens and people go through things and they can't be there for you.

the way that you might need them to. And that's why it's good to have different people for different things. And you can't just expect everybody to be everything for you, you know? Absolutely. You...

You have to accept people for the way they are. And just like Angela said, yeah, there's... We have friends for different reasons. And we just have to accept that. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, my best friend, she lives in New York. She is on her second baby. There is nothing she wouldn't do for me. She is the greatest friend. She has...

just stood by my side through every single thing in my life and we don't talk every day she can't really fully be there for me she's got a family now she's got kids but I know that no matter what she will be right there for me and we will pick back up like nothing 100% yeah that's another thing too because a lot of people wrote in saying what do you do when people change and right

This is the problem because we are going to talk about when it's time to walk away from a friendship. But there is something about like a lot of the time relationships, for example, will end because...

We are constantly changing and evolving and then you we are gonna grow into different people constantly and sometimes in relationships You think like oh they've changed and so, you know, we don't mesh together That's why you have to grow together to have really great friendships. You have to be okay with your friend Changing constantly and you have to re-become friends with the new versions of them

I know. It's the same thing with relationships. 100%. Like, they go so hand in hand. They do, because it is a relationship. And that's why I'm just like, yeah, if they're your real friends, I have, you guys, like, I have hit the jackpot. There's a lot of things in my life that didn't go so well, but...

When it comes to my friends, I've literally hit the jackpot. I mean, they truly are my sisters. I have my friends from back home that stuck by me all the years that I lived in L.A. Like, they're my sisters. And I'm telling you, like, they're your real friends. They'll never leave your side. No matter what. You are the best friend, R. You are the best friend. You are the best friend. And I will say, like, there's been times...

Since being friends where I've gone through some things, you know those times in your life that you would just describe as being shaky, like just being rocky, like things are going weird and you don't know what's going on and you feel a little lost and a little anxious. Like every time I have a moment like that, I'm not even kidding. I always think to myself, like at least I have Ari.

I'm always like, like, at least like, I don't know what's happening, but I know I have Ari and it gives me like a sense of security that like, you can't like money can't buy something like that. You know what I mean? Cause like, that's what you need in life. You need support. You need, you need that security. And like, Jesus is that security. But I'm telling you when the going gets tough, like you are,

I know I have Ari, so I know I'm going to be good. I love you so much. I know that it's so repetitive again. Like, I always say this, but, man, I... You saved my life. You saved mine. No, you truly saved my life. I'm not kidding. You have saved my life. Like, you have given me, like...

If nothing else in my life, like, thank God for you. I know we just talked about, like, praying over each other and stuff. But, like I said, I've never had someone like you to, like...

I think what's cured so much of my anxiety and things like that is, like, when I'm in a moment of crisis, you literally will be like, okay, let's sit down, and you'll take my hands, and you will just pray over me. And I've never had anything like that. And that's why we encourage you guys, like, really dive into the word and really just get into it because...

When you are in these tough situations with friends and you have people that can literally sit with you and pray over you and pray with you and pray for you, it is truly the most beautiful thing. Truly. I mean, when I see you doing that for me, I'm like, thank you, God. I knew exactly what you were doing. I think, yeah, the need to be a friend who...

other people can rely on. Like, for example, I have

Reliability. Yeah. Thank you for bringing that one up. I have a lot. And people ask, what do you do when you have friends who aren't close to Jesus or they're not, you know, they're more of like worldly friends and whatever. We have many, many worldly friends. We came from the world. We still got friends in the world. Thank you, Jesus, because we want to have friends in every area of life. That's how you spread the gospel. But.

There are people in my life who will call me and they're my friends. They're not in my close, close circle, but they are my friends. And they call me and I know that these these people can't do anything for me. Right. Like.

they can't pour into me. They can't really give me advice because I probably wouldn't, you know, necessarily take their advice. But I know that my purpose in being in their life is to edify them and to help and to bring them closer to Jesus and all that stuff. And you kind of just have to differentiate the relationships in your life and see what purpose each friendship serves and what you serve for them. Like,

If I need someone to talk to or to call or to be with, I'm going to call Ari, right? If I need advice, I'm going to call Ari because I know she's going to give me sound biblical good advice. I'm not going to necessarily call my friends who I don't fully trust their judgment, but you don't have to like exile people just because they're not close to Jesus. I actually encourage you to keep those people close, not to the point where they're negatively affecting you and bringing you down, but to the

to the point where you can inspire them. I agree with you on that. Yeah. We got that question a lot. Like, do I stay friends with people that are non-Christians?

I'm so deep into my walk, into my values and my faith that you couldn't bring me away from that. Because you really are the five people who you hang out with. You are like them the most. But if you are so grounded in your values, it's okay. I mean, I really do have friends from all walks too. But that was perfect what you said. I'm obviously not going to call them for advice. I'll call you, but...

I think having friends of all walks that we can share the gospel with and bring people to. I mean, that that you're right. That's a purpose. That is our purpose. Yes. And I just think that you need to be you need to like be aware of where you are in your faith, because like you said, you're so strong in your faith that you can go into the world.

I'm not worried about you. Like, I would be comfortable with you going in any environment ever and not compromising your values because that's where you are. Someone who's maybe a bit newer. Yes. Maybe they need to be more careful. So you just need to be aware of where you are. I know everybody gets influenced, actually. No, you can't say I'm not going to get influenced because everybody will. You spend enough time in a place. Oh, absolutely. Oh, absolutely.

Oh, oh, talk about reliability. What? So there, we have a story and we're going to throw a clip on the thing, but we have a story of one time. How do we explain this? So, okay, let me set the scene. Okay. So Angela and I had dinner plans and, uh,

And she's always right there. Okay, I'll be there to pick you up. So I get ready and I'm sitting there and I'm waiting for her. I'm doing my makeup. Oh, she's probably a little late. So then I call her. 20 minutes goes by. Well, her phone's off. I'm like, wait, what's going on? I go, I heard she must be on do not. I don't know. Why isn't her phone off? So I'm sitting there.

30 minutes go by. An hour goes by. Now I'm pacing. I'm like, where is she? Okay. Is she coming? Why isn't she answering? So then an hour and 30 goes by. Now I think she's dead. I can't believe it. I didn't... I had these crazy thoughts that you got stolen, you're dead. So...

I'm like, what's going on? So then I black out and call your mom. My mother, my poor mother. She's all the way in Florida. Her Albanian mother, who is the cutest, funniest woman you will ever meet. She's so cute, but that girl will think the absolute worst. You tell her I can't find Angela. Angela's dead. That's where it goes. Like, you can't scare my mom, okay? I shouldn't have called her. It was the biggest mistake I've ever made.

So I call, I go, Mom, I go, I don't want to freak you out or anything, but it's been over an hour and Angela hasn't answered. I was like, do you, have you talked to her? She goes, she's like,

I knew it. I had a feeling. I had a feeling you need to go there right now. I go, okay, okay, it's okay. I'm going to head there right now. So I get in the car. She's calling me over and over again. She goes like this. She says to me, she goes, listen, Ariel, if you get there and you see the body, just leave it.

That if I see your body to leave it... My dead body? I go... I go... Like, her remains? She goes, yes, just leave it and get out, okay? And I'm sitting at the red light. I see an ambulance. My head is spinning.

I get to your house. I have sweat pouring down my face. When I'm upset, my Boston accent is I sound like a different person, you guys. I'm not even kidding. I did not even know she had a DoorDash camera, whatever it is. DoorDash? What is it? DoorDash is like Postman's first name.

What is it called? It's the ring camera. Oh, the ring camera. All right. So she comes knocking on my door like crazy. And I'm just like, I was in a conversation, basically. I was in a conversation, couldn't leave, but my phone died. And then I just hear banging on the door. I run downstairs and play the clip. This is what I see.

Yeah, I thought you were dead. I hate you. Oh my god. I'm gonna kill you. What happened? Your phone's been off for almost two hours. Don't ever do that. Alright, yeah. I, like, I... I thought you

I thought you were dead. I, in that moment, go, you received the best friend of the year award for this. It was so cute. You don't even know the thoughts that were going through my head. Why'd you call my mom? Because I thought you were dead. I thought you were dead. If you were gone, I'm out, too. I ain't staying in this crazy world without you. You know what? Oh, okay. You know what being a good friend is? Being a good friend...

is somebody that we touched on it a little bit, but like speaking life, being supportive, being honest while being supportive. But I think when you have genuine intentions in a friendship, people feel that, you know? We have both been in situations where we've had to end friendships based on the other person kind of getting a little weird, right?

There's a lot of stories, especially with women, where there is the thing of being like a low-key hater, where you have a friend that all of a sudden maybe starts putting you down a little bit, maybe doesn't have the right intentions. Maybe you can tell they've started to develop a little bit of competitiveness with you. Like, what do you do? What do you do in that situation? It's tough because...

I think when people act like that, it's really, really within themselves. They're going through a deep pain within themselves. And I give them grace because people...

don't feel good inside and sometimes you don't act like yourself and it doesn't mean they're bad people it just means that they're hurting yeah they're hurting in some sort of way and sometimes you don't even know why you're hurting you're just it turns into anger and then it comes out as jealousy and hate towards the other people yeah

And I've been in this situation and I really try to stick with them because I take pride in just sticking by people because I've had friends that stuck by me when I wasn't right. Yeah. And I just think it's so circumstantial. I mean...

If you're in a place where they're really being so judgmental and they're not speaking life into you and they're putting you down and it's just taking away from your life because you have to be very careful with people. Like if you're around someone and they're making you feel so

down and out it's gonna affect your life it's gonna affect your career it's gonna affect everything it's gonna destroy your confidence it's gonna hurt your confidence and then you're not gonna be able to be your best self yeah and so I'm a big advocate if someone isn't

I have really learned boundaries this past year. I was just about to mention boundaries. Yeah, like I've had to really learn boundaries and not, because I'm one of those people that I'm like, no, got to stick by them, got to be loyal. And it's really hurt me. So now I'm like, if you're going to act like this,

and you're not going to be good to me, well, then I have to let you go. And if you want to come around and take accountability of your actions and say, I'm really sorry for the way I spoke to you. Let me show you that I'm a good friend. I'm all for second chances. Oh, I love that. I,

I love that. I was going to mention boundaries. You and I have phenomenal boundaries with each other. We really do. I also, because of just the way that I grew up, I was like, I used to be very anxious attachment in my friendships, not in relationships, but in my friendships, because I knew relationships were a little bit different. In friendships, like I have...

I think I have a fear of abandonment. You do a little bit. Have you noticed? You know, I only noticed that recently and I don't know why. No, I don't think anybody left me. We all do. I just, yeah, I just, I'm always afraid that

When I was younger, I'd be so scared that one falling out would mean that somebody didn't want to be my friend anymore. And it's hard because I'm not like that. I can get over a fight. I can recover. And a lot of the times, it felt like other people weren't like that. Yeah, I know we don't like to go deep, but I feel like I'm like that with you sometimes too. I don't want to disappoint people.

And I think that goes back to, like, when we were kids. Like, I'm sure you had somebody not be so good to you as a kid. Yeah. I'm definitely like that with you. I have fear of abandonment in the sense that, like, I just...

I remember in the beginning of our friendship, I was a little bit like I would avoid conflict. Not that we like fight by any means. We literally never have problems. So like I would avoid even speaking my mind because I was I just didn't want to lose you. And I didn't know what type of person you were. And then eventually over time, I saw that like, no, this girl is solid. We're solid. And it's weird because there's.

People usually don't think this way about friendships because it's kind of weird to be afraid to lose a friend. It's like, that's not your boyfriend. It shouldn't be like that, but it is. And it's like that for a lot of people. People feel left out. People feel ignored, abandoned. Speak on that. People can be a little weird with you, and I think it's because you are...

so solid in yourself and so secure and so giving. And so you just don't, the thing about you is you don't have a jealousy bone. Truly you don't. I mean, and that's why I love you so much because you don't have that sort of ego. Most people do, unfortunately, you know, and you just are like, and I think sometimes like people want to get that out of you in a way.

I've noticed that with people and you. Do you know what I think it is? I don't even know if I'm going to keep this in, but you know what I've noticed a lot is because I'm really like, I'm very validating as a friend and really like, I'm just like, I'll be there, especially when I love someone, like I'll, I put them on a pedestal and like you will be like my world in a lot of ways. Like I love people. When I love you, I love you. If you're in Angela's world, yeah.

I just... I love people so much. And the second that they... It's almost like a control thing. The second I put up a boundary, people feel like they're losing control. And they don't like that. And that's the case in a lot of situations for a lot of people. And that's why, like, conflict will arise. They'll be like, excuse me, like, you...

You're putting up a boundary. Who do you think you are type of thing? You've really taught me boundaries. I love boundaries. I think it is so good. And I used to be like, no, that's mean. We shouldn't do... No, it's crucial. If you don't have boundaries, you will get walked all over your whole life. You have to have boundaries. I have really... I'm like the boundary queen now. I really have strict boundaries with people. Whenever I feel some weird energy from someone, I'm like...

If you're not 100% supporter, you're 100% hater. Like, I don't, I can't, you will not, you won't be around me. I don't want that energy around me. I can see through it. It's not good. You have to be, you really have to be careful with people. You really do.

Yeah. So there's it's it's it's like you have to pray so much. This is my favorite thing in conflict with friends or because people ask questions. What do you do when you're being left out? What do you do when people aren't, you know, your friends left?

doesn't want to be your friend anymore this or that pray about it pray about it pray about the conflict bring invite the holy spirit into your situation and he will one either make it better and bring reconciliation or he will put it on your heart that it's time to walk away i think that's the answer i wish i knew this when i was younger i always felt left out as a kid like

Like, with friends and stuff. Like, I wouldn't... I mean, that's what we go through as kids. Everybody does, yeah. But I wish I knew when I was younger to, like, really ask God and pray. Because, you know, with everything now, I... Even with how I found Angela, I know it was because I prayed on it. Everything I prayed, I asked. It was literally her. And so, I know it sounds... I don't know. I just...

When you want friendships, really pray on it. It's the best thing. And the thing too, a lot of the time in friendships, I think people, and it's so sad and it's a really sad reality. And that's why you have to pray and ask God to bring the right people into your life. Because the truth is that a lot of people love you when you're down.

Oh, yeah. People love you when you're down. They want to be there for you because it's like, oh, poor thing. Like, I'll be there. The second you start getting better, the second you start coming up, it's hard for people. And the sad thing is, it's like, you know, you can look down on those people, but it's a very normal human emotion. Yeah.

But that's the truth. Some people will love you when you're down and some people won't want to see you do well. So you just have to really be careful. And you can't have those people around you because it will suck the life out of you. It'll keep you down and you have to really be careful. It's funny that you mentioned that because the couple of friends that were the closest to my heart actually are not in my life anymore because of that. Yeah. Yeah.

you have to be careful with those people. You don't leave people aside, but people like that you have to be careful with. Jealousy

is, again, we've talked about it before, but it's a human emotion. It happens. Jealousy is normal. Projecting your jealousy and insecurity on other people is where the problem lies. You can feel that jealousy, internalize it, and then go pray about it and be like, God, take this jealousy out of my heart. Replace it with gratitude for where I am and may I be inspired by their success or whatever and take away the jealousy. But to sit there and project your

onto people is really low. It is. And I encourage if anyone's going through that right now, it's okay. We all go through that. But as long as you can really see what's going on in your heart and just pray that he works on that and gets some help...

It's jealousy is is is it's it's evil. It's so evil enemy. It will it ruins families. It ruins brothers and sisters and long lines of family like it really it's so evil. You're so right. You know what else I'll say about friendship. You really and I don't know if I said this earlier, but you really know who if someone's your real friend in a crisis. I know.

this past year I can't even tell you I really now know who my real friends are like when you're down and out I went through a I went through something that was so difficult for me that I don't even know how my friends stuck by me but they when I tell you my friend I don't I I

Going through a crisis could have been had to be the best thing for me because the way I value my friends now, they are my angels, my world, my treasures. And now, like even if I'm in a relationship, because sometimes it can be really hard when you're in a relationship, you sort of forget, forget your friends. Guys, your girlfriends are the greatest gifts you can ever have.

And so when they're there for you through those bad times and the ones that don't leave your side. So true. I was going to say back to what you said about

You know, you... What did you say? Because you went through a lot and your friends were there for you. And there were two moments that... You don't even know how they handled you? How they handled me. Well, I will say about Ari, just what I said about projecting onto people. You, and I've told you from the very beginning, you have something R where you are able to... You could be going through the worst thing in the world, but...

But people are attracted to you and want to help you in those situations. And you are, I told you this morning, you could never annoy me because you don't project your stuff onto other people. You can come into my house with the heaviest, hardest energy and you're going through so much. And if it was somebody else, it would have drained me. I don't get drained from you because you don't project it. It's incredible. And you need to tell people how to do that.

I mean, what about when I'm dwelling? You don't annoy me. It doesn't feel too much. That's because we love each other so much. But there have been... Trust me, I've lost a couple friends because... But that's what I mean. Like...

Again, I'm going to keep saying this. The women that are supposed to stay in your life will be like Angela and will look at you with such grace and be like, you don't annoy me. I love you. I will stay by you. That's because you're my real friend. Not everyone feels that way, though. You know what I dealt with this past year. When Ari does it, you could literally like,

I don't know, like do a jumping jack. And I'd be like, that's my girl. Love her. Like, I'm just so proud of you for everything. I'm so proud of you. But I don't know. You've taught me everything. You've taught me everything. You've taught me so much. You have the best people skills. You have the best. Oh, I do? You have the best. You should teach a master class on how to work a room, sister. Oh, no, no, no, no, no. Have you seen my videos on Instagram of how she walks in a room? I can't. Um...

Can I read some scripture on it? Yeah, please. Yes, read scripture. What were you going to say? Yes, read scripture. Let's read a little scripture on friendship, right? It's 1 Thessalonians 5.11. Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Corinthians 15.33. Do not be misled. Bad company corrupts good character. That's a good one.

Ecclesiastes. Don't laugh. Is that how you say it? Yeah, Ecclesiastes 410. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. That should be your life, Earths.

What? You always pick people up. I love you. Last one. Proverbs 1628. A perverse person stirs up conflict and a gossip separates close friends. We didn't get to our questions, but we had... We probably had more questions on this than anything ever. What we're going to do is we are going to go on live. Maybe Saturday.

And answer the questions. Tell us what you guys think. By the way, GGB baptism, I'm not telling you it's going to be soon. We're not telling you when, but we're saying we are talking about it. We're thinking about it. We want to put some cool, cool, cool, cool thing together. Okay. We'll answer the questions on live maybe this weekend. Stay in the Bible. Read the Word. Jesus loves you so much.

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May he make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May he turn his face towards you and give you peace, joy, love, positivity, and happiness all the days of your lives. May Jesus be with you every moment of your day. We love you. In Jesus' name, we love you guys so much. God bless you guys. God bless you.

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