August 12, 2025
Becky Sweat
You might write off someone as a possible friend just because he or she has a different personality from you or doesn’t share many of the same interests and viewpoints. But if you do that, you can miss out on building a potentially great friendship. The truth is, there might still be things you can connect on. You might also discover that those differing interests or perspectives makes that person fascinating to be around.
The Bible instructs us to show respect to everyone, and essentially value all types of people (1 Peter 2:17). 
That includes those with backgrounds, personalities, preferences and viewpoints that differ from yours [I’m not referring here to matters of definite right and wrong, but rather to varying ways of thinking that are morally neutral]. Remember that everyone has something unique to offer. Learning to appreciate individuals for who they are is an important way to strengthen connections. Others will feel comfortable being around you, because they know they don’t have to fit a certain mold to be your friend.
For instance, some of my closest friends are introverts, while I’m 100 percent extrovert. If one of these friends plans a trip to visit us, she may need intermittent breaks to be alone while she’s staying with us (so she can recharge), while I could chat nonstop. Or, my local friends may not “need” to go out to lunch as much as I do. Understanding their needs, even when that’s not the way I’m wired, has kept these friendships going for many years.
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