The people you spend time with greatly impact your life. There are individuals chosen by God who will inspire and improve you. Associating with the wrong people prevents you from meeting the right ones and can keep you stagnant. You can’t associate with “chickens” and expect to “soar like eagles.” The qualities of those around you influence you. It’s essential to make changes if needed to become who you are meant to be. Proverbs 22:24-25 advises against keeping company with hot-tempered individuals as their temperament can transfer to you. Similarly, if you spend time with gossipers or stingy people, their negative traits will affect you. Conversely, surrounding yourself with excellent people will help you develop their positive qualities.
Ensure your companions have qualities that inspire you to improve. Joel shares that a friend who treats his wife well inspires him to do the same. Avoid people who are disrespectful to their spouses. Set boundaries, especially with negative, critical, or fault-finding individuals. Although we can’t always choose our companions at work or home, we can be selective when we have a choice. Life is too short to waste time with the wrong people, such as those lacking integrity or constantly having problems. Surround yourself with “eagles,” people who add value to your life. Proverbs 28:7 emphasizes the importance of associating with wise individuals.
There might be times when you feel lonely, but trust that God will bring better people into your life. Psalm 1 advises against remaining inactive in the company of the ungodly. Don’t worry about hurting people’s feelings at the cost of missing your destiny. Joel shares a story about a friend who decided against partnering with a hot-tempered person, later finding a partner of great integrity and achieving success. Growth requires the willingness to walk away from detrimental relationships. Obedience to God always brings blessings in return.
Avoid spending time with people who bring out the worst in you. Daniel, known for his excellent spirit (Daniel 6:3), surrounded himself with friends of integrity like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. If your friends are like “Larry, Curly, and Moe,” reconsider your associations. The law of the group states that we associate with people who reflect how we see ourselves. Complainers find other complainers, and successful people find other successful people. Young people, choosing the wrong friends can hinder your destiny. Find friends who aspire to make something of their lives. In the long run, popularity in school matters less than having friends with good heads on their shoulders. The “geeks” and “bookworms” often become leaders and professionals. Proverbs 27:17 reminds us that good friends sharpen each other and make each other better.
Leave a Reply