A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.
-Proverbs 17:17, NLT
Good news and bad news about friends during times of marital distress:
First, I will share the bad news:
Some of the most painful betrayals will be friends and even family choosing the cheater over you.
It hurts.
But, at least, you know where you stand with these people. Their betrayal exposes what they are “not a friend.” They are not loyal as this verse tells us. As such, they are not worth your time or your heart investment…sadly.
But that is not where this ends, good news exists regarding the fire of marital infidelity and your friendships:
You will discover you have friends closer than brothers (or sisters). People will show up that you did not know before and help you. It is truly amazing. I have experienced that. Plus, the friendships where loyalty is demonstrated through this time are blast furnace tested and bonded like hardened steel. You know you can rely on these people.
Yes, you will lose some “friendships.” But do not despair.
The real friends will show their loyal character and these are the relationships worth your time plus heart, anyways. They aren’t fakes.
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*A version of this post ran previously.
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