“Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for ‘bad company corrupts good character’.” 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NLT)
Some may think a good amount of “knowing” a person makes them friends. Some may think the latest gossip shared makes them friends. But, really, it’s not the amount of time spent with a person that makes the bond strong, but the amount of time you both spend praying for each other and helping each other reach the top. There will come a time in your life where you’ll need more than friends who “slay” and party with you. When hard times come, you’ll need friends who can help you during those hard times. According to Jim Rohn, one becomes the average of the five people he or she chooses to spend time with the most. Can the people you spend time with the most propel you to the next level of your life?
Folks, friends have a big influence on “how we feel, think, and behave”, they influence the habits we cultivate, the quality of our conversations and opportunities, and our beliefs. The friends we keep or the people we associate with, contribute to our physical, emotional, financial and spiritual well-being. It all boils down to our power of CHOICE.
We need to choose to spend time or associate with go-getters that motivate us and not drain us, positive minded and vision-driven people, people that share the kind of values, habits, and goals we aspire to attain. Associate with people that inspire you, challenge you to rise higher, people that make you better. Don’t waste your valuable time with people that are not adding to your growth. Your destiny is too important to be toyed with.
True friendship involves sharing the hard stuff. The yucky, the embarrassing, and shameful stuff. We look directly at one another’s heart and speak the gospel over them. True friendship involves sharing and speaking the truth because as incredible as the gospel is, our minds find ways to forget it. We keep sharing and speaking because we know God designed us for togetherness, and isolation will shrivel our souls. We keep sharing and speaking because even though faith sometimes seems like a personal journey, it’s really a shared one.
In the end, choose the friends you are proud to know, people you admire, who show you love and respect. People who reciprocate kindness and all those other positive traits as well. Proceed with caution and move slowly into new friendships until you know you have shared values and perspectives. Friendships are like relationships; a toxic one can break you. Do not get me wrong, any 2 or 3 people can share the same goals, aspirations, and values, but what matters the most is how authentic they are.
Watch the company you keep, because you will be surprised by some people who come into your life claiming to be your friend, but do the exact opposite of what friends do. It’s time to take a bold step and evaluate the people you let into your life. Decide if the company you keep helps you positively or negatively.
Shawl_ Express
Shirt_ Calvin Klein
Bow Tie_ Brooks Brothers
Jeans_ Levi
Sneakers_ Kurt Geiger
