Every story has two sides. My so-called “best friend” is two-faced. She looks me in the eye and says she is my best friend; then she turns around and talks about me behind my back. Recently, she started hanging out with another girl; and they spent a lot of time putting me down. Yet, when the other girl wasn’t around, she wanted to be my “best friend.” After awhile, I decided not to wait around for my “friend” to call me. I simply went on with my life—without her.

—Nikki Cain, 14

Gossip is no good! It causes hard feelings and comes between friends.
Proverbs 16:28 (CEV)

WHEN FRIENDS ARE FAKE: Two-faced people are the most challenging to love. I have had friends who seemed to change from day to day—sometimes interested in friendship and other times not so much. Finally, I turned it all over to the Lord. I realized that sometimes we expect more from human friends than they are able to give. I’ve found more faithful friends, who have renewed my faith in God and in true friendship. Only as we love God can we faithfully love one another.

—Doug Rose