Our Friend The Skunk
Motivational speaker Jim Rohn famously said that we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with. Another related saying is, “Show me your friends I’ll show you your future.” Research has shown that we are more affected by our environment than we think. Whether we like it or not, we are greatly influenced by those closest to us. It affects our way of thinking, our self-esteem, our decisions, and our actions.
Scripture:
“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.” – 1 Corinthians 15:33
Observation/Application:
If we spend too much time around a skunk, we will start smelling like a skunk. We will start thinking like a skunk, behaving like a skunk, and looking like a skunk. But if we spend time with those who are more successful than us and will challenge us and help make us better, those who shine, then we soon will shine too.
Image courtesy of: Petroglyph
That is why it is so important to surround ourselves with others of faith, those who will speak life and encouragement into our lives – those who will help fill us with the Word of God.
But what happens when we are in a situation where we cannot choose those who surround us? This might happen at work where we are put into a position that is right in the middle of a hornets nest and extreme negativity. It might even happen to be extended family. Bottom line, what can we do when we are surrounded by bad company. Sure we might always have the option of leaving, but sometimes we cannot change the situation immediately. Even more, maybe God is calling us to be the one to deal with the situation. After all, God calls us to be the light in the darkness.
At these times, it is more critical than ever that we continually wash ourselves clean with the Word of God. It is so important to remember our friend the skunk and what happens when we hang out with him. We are going to stink and have to wash ourselves clean each and every day. And so it is in taking care of minds and our Spirit. We are going to have to continually wash ourselves clean with God’s Word. Let us be reminded of a wonderful scripture in Romans:
- “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:2
Let us never underestimate of take for granted the power of God’s Word. Let us focus on it all the more each and every day. And when we are in the middle of the hornets nest, fallen into the pit of vipers, or surrounded by skunks, let us cling all the more to the truth and power that is in Christ Jesus. If God is for us, who can be against us? For we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
I call you blessed.
Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for your Word today. Thank you for washing us cleaning and making us new. Thank you for transforming our mind, our thoughts, our decisions, and our actions. Clean us from the inside out. Free our minds from the bondage of sin and death. Help us to rise above our situations and to be wise when we are to leave or when we are to stay. For we know that all things are possible through you. We know that no problem is too big for our God. We seek you each and every day, and give you our hearts and our minds and our thoughts. We place our cares upon you Lord. We surrender fully to you. We thank you today for your Promises, and all that you are continuing to do on our behalf. For we know there is power and victory in your name. We know that there is peace in your name. We know that there is joy in your name. We give you all the honor and glory and praise, in Jesus mighty name. Amen.
Today’s full reading: Psalm 149; 1 Corinthians 15,16
Scripture References From Today’s Reflection:
- “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: ‘For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:31-39
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