“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:29).
Almost everyone would like to avoid toxic fumes. The reason is simple- once one inhales them they irritate the respiratory system which fights back through nervous coughing. Normally the easiest way out is to withdraw to a safe distance.
Just as there are toxic fumes, in life there is also toxic company. The case here being when one finds himself immersed in company that specializes in sharing nothing but negative vibes. Toxic company thrives in pulling down doomsday prophecies, almost about anybody or events. What motivates this relationship is to level anyone down and has rare anything uplifting to offer, be it news or personal comments on one’s efforts.
The Apostle Paul was very much aware of the dangers of toxic company and encouraged Believers in Christ to keep safe distance. For example, writing to his disciple Timothy, he cautioned him, “Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some” ( 2 Timothy 2:16). Earlier he had cautioned him, “Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly” ( I Timothy 4:7).
We will always run into this kind of company which we must be cautious around. For once you let yourself be sucked into it, then it catches on you and soon you are also passing around its dangerous fumes. Toxic company does not build anyone other than leveling and sizing others to ground.
The opposite is rather to seek positive relationships that build up our spirit. For we are all well advised, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” ( I Thessalonians 5:11).
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, may you guide me into positive company where we stir up each other in good works, and deter me from negative company that shrivels the spirit and leaves one down and deflated, this I pray in Jesus’s name.
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03/05/2024 - 04/05/2024 All day“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10)
Every now and then one could be gripped with fear because of certain events sweeping before one’s life journey. It could be the finances that are stretched and incomes are no longer certain. Perhaps it is one’s job under threat. Perhaps it is a dreaded health report card. There could be fear about outcome of a matter under judgment and what it might mean to one’s future.
Fear has been elsewhere described as “an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm.” Every life will experience fear at one point. Whenever we are faced with fear it is natural to look for something to grasp on. Sometimes we run for shelter wherever we can find. Perhaps we might seek out a friend for quiet confidence.
But there are those situations when there is no shelter in sight. There are also those cases where those we thought would understand our situation once we share our pain return only hurting and critical feedback. In such moments we might then turn and look within ourselves only to find the energy has all been sapped by this gnawing fear. We feel down and the urge to rise and move on all gone!
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10) the word of God through prophet Isaiah assures us. But why? It is because the Lord has been there. He himself was faced with fear before his crucifixion but He looked to God.
Charles Spurgeon once wrote when faced with fear always remember, “Nothing is too hard for Him. He can find a way where there is no way. He can give us the idea that will make all the difference.” Psalm 91:2, says, “I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!” So, when faced with fear, look to God to strengthen you. By looking to Him, the Lord will encourage and lift up your spirit, and make a way out of nowhere!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I surrender to you any fear that is in me for I know by looking up to you, you will always make a way out of nowhere, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
