Surround yourself with people who lift you up!

Surround yourself with Friends

 Surround yourself with people who lift you up! As we grow, we figure out the person we want to be. We also realize that the people around us play a big part in shaping us. We often lose touch with our virtues when we distance ourselves from God. But when we seek our way back to God, we may find that certain people make it tough to stay on the right path.

"Do not be misled:

Bad company corrupts good character." 1 Corinthians 15:33.

Each friend brings their own unique personality and energy into your life. Some may be outgoing, knowledgeable, funny, or laid-back. But over time, we might start picking up their habits and behaviors without even realizing it. If we are around folks with a negative outlook, we might start to act more negatively. Remember, once a habit sets in, it's twice as hard to kick.

Think about how you feel when a friend leaves your home:

·      Do you feel uplifted and happy to have spent time with them?

·      Do you feel empty inside or drained from the interaction?

We need friends who make you feel awesome, even on your worst days. They should build us up, not bring us down.

Don’t forget that our virtuous friendships require attention and nourishment just like our relationship with God. We need to devote time and energy to learning about them and letting them know that they are important to us. Make time in your life to devote to them. Going to church on Sunday and reading the Bible throughout the week is a way to stay in touch with God and grow in faith. Similarly with our friends, texting a friend to see how their day went and planning time together. These friendships will help you build a virtuous life and a deeper understanding of faith.

The Role of friends are cheerleaders in one’s walk with God.

“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up,

just as you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11.