The company we keep greatly influences our lives as it determines what accompanies us. The relationships we nurture have far-reaching effects on our personal growth and success.
Knowingly or unknowingly, we interact with others in various ways—whether through personal meetings, social media, or the books we read. Even the life of an author whose books we read can have a significant impact on our own. Therefore, there’s a need to thoroughly examine which of these media is beneficial to us or not.
The excess of this examination is to distance yourself from people who hinder your progress, success and growth. Like Jonah, who had to be cast into the sea for the storm to subside, or Lot, whom Abraham separated from to move forward, sometimes disconnection is necessary for growth. Not everyone is aligned with the direction God has planned for you. Hence, be mindful of surrounding yourself with people who lack passion and purpose.
Are you still unsure who these negative influences might be? Let me outline some of them for you:
- WHEELBARROW PEOPLE : These individuals lack impetus and are energy drainers. They always expect you to do everything for them, without considering your own well-being. They believe it’s your sole responsibility to solve their problems. The worst part is, after you’ve put in the effort, they still require more without giving anything back. Limit your interactions with them.
- MOSQUITO PEOPLE : These people seek to drain you emotionally, mentally, or physically without adding any value to your life. They are self-interested, offering nothing useful in return. These individuals are takers who never give anything valuable back. They constantly ask for help and support but never offer anything beneficial in return. They drain your resources and leave you feeling empty and exhausted. The worst is that; Mosquito people sing your praise only when they can benefit from you, but turn against you or even infect you once their needs are met. Their nature is parasitic. Please avoid them.
- SCAFFOLDING PEOPLE: These individuals help you only to gain control over your life and assist you to climb higher. But because they’ve helped you in the past, they think they have the right to dictate your future. They don’t want you to shine independently but prefer you to stay under their influence permanently. It’s important to recognize when it’s time to separate from these people like Laban (Jacob’s uncle in the Bible), or your growth will be stunted and your star will grow dim under them. Be cautious and distance yourself from these individuals.
- CROCODILE PEOPLE : Crocodile people are deceptive and insincere. They get close to you with hidden agendas, seeking to gather information about you to use against you later. They feign empathy, only to later turn it into an attack. These individuals are backstabbers and gossipers. They pretend to be your friend but undermine you behind your back. They thrive on creating drama and spreading negativity. It’s best to keep these unfriendly friends at arm’s length.
- CHAMELEON PEOPLE : These are envious and competitive individuals who pretend to support you while secretly monitoring your progress. They harbor jealousy and will sabotage your efforts if they see you succeeding. Chameleon people neither celebrate your victories nor offer constructive support. They amplify your mistakes and look for opportunities to undermine you. Please distance yourself from them
- CROWD PEOPLE : These individuals are followers who also go along with the crowd, even if it means displaying disloyalty or compromising their own values and beliefs. They lack the courage to stand up for what they believe in and often pressure you to conform to their ways. Stay away from them.
- NAYSAYER PEOPLE: Naysayers are the dream killers of your life. They are the ‘Herods’ who try to destroy your dreams. Just like Joseph’s brothers in the Bible, they can’t appreciate your ambitions and will never support them. They’ll tell you why your dreams are impossible and focus only on your failures. They drain your hope and kill your passion. Mind you, they will never encourage or motivate you to succeed. Avoid them at all costs.
- SHIPWRECKERS : These are the people who are headed in the opposite direction of God’s plan. If you stay in the same “ship”—whether in partner ship , friend ship , court ship or other forms of relation ships —it can lead to disastrous consequences. Their presence will cause turmoil in your life. Just as Jonah had to be thrown overboard to calm the storm, you must separate from those who are taking you off course.
” So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging” (Jonah 1:15). Note those who want to shipwreck your life in this year 2024, and throw them out without further delay. They are unfit to cross with you to 2025.
Dear reader, the take-home message is that; it’s your responsibility to assess the relationships around you with a view to determining which one is beneficial and which is not. Your life can only move in the right direction once you begin to surround yourself with positive, purpose-driven people and cut ties with negative influences. Doing so removes the obstacles hindering your progress. I see you moving on rapidly from now into the new year and beyond in Jesus name.
ENJOY A FAVOURABLE FRIDAY
@ afo4Jesus
