I once had coffee with a mentor who told me this statement in conversation: tell me about your five closest friends and I’ll tell you who you become. If you find yourself instantly listing negative qualities and depressing characteristics in your closest companions, you might need to reconsider what types of influences you are allowing into your life.
Her statement stuck.
I’ve never forgotten it.
With this in mind Proverbs 22:24-25 resonates deeply.
“Don’t hang out with angry people; don’t keep company with hotheads. Bad temper is contagious – don’t get infected.”
Take out angry, insert controlling.
Take out controlling, insert negative.
Take out negative, insert gossipy.
Take our gossipy, insert insecure.
Take out insecure, insert complacent.
There are many types of people.
And every person is contagious.
Godly wisdom gives us the discernment to weed through what contagions are infecting us.
Perhaps this year’s new years resolution shouldn’t be about adding something new, but rather purging what needs to go.
