What one thing makes the difference between
- success and failure
- winning and losing
- positive and negative outlook on life
- achieving your goals and giving up on them?
The difference is made in who you surround yourself with. The key is in who you give permission to speak into your life.
You have a circle of influence: people within your reach who you can make a difference to. But you are also influenced by certain people around you as well. We should always make sure that we are a positive influence in others’ lives.
It’s important to remember that this doesn’t mean we should completely shut out everyone who might not fall into this “positive influence” category. We need to have contact with people who are negative, but need to be encouraged themselves. Just be careful how much permission you give them to influence your outlook, your goals, and your emotions. Don’t let them drag you down while you’re trying to build them up.
Rick Warren wrote,
“Success is never a one-man job; it takes teamwork. God wired it this way because the most important lesson he wants you to learn here in earth is to love people. Not only that, there are some things in your life that you will never be able to change without the support, prayers, and encouragement of other people.”
It’s important to get people around you in your life who will support you, encourage you, and pray for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says,
“So encourage each other and build each other up…”
We should work hard to do that every day. Look for a way to encourage someone today. Pray for God to surround you with people who will encourage you and support you, and most importantly, pray for you.
Are you surrounded by people who will encourage you and build you up? The stronger your team is, the more you can fulfill your dream.
