Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NIV)
We are called to live a life in accordance to God’s commands. While there are many commands we may have no trouble following, there are also likely to be some that are difficult for us to follow. We are raised up or torn down by the company we keep and how we choose to live out our relationships. Our friends should encourage us to live well, our spouses should share our mission and goals, and our families should be led by parents who exemplify a good life for their children. Refocusing our relationships can be hard. Many times we may not want to “rock the boat” with people we know, old habits can be hard to change, and we may meet resistance from those we love most. However, it is important to keep ourselves focused on living right and to manage the relationships we have with others to make that easier for us, and not more difficult.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for all the people I have been blessed to know in my life. Help me to work with them and myself to keep my focus on you. Grant me insight to engage more with those who build me up and help me to find ways to recognize and refrain from those who lead me astray. Should I meet resistance, please help me to find strength, and should I find encouragement, please help me to find even more joy and engagement with those who have given it. Help me to surround myself with those who wish to serve you as well. Amen.