Do you ever find yourself in a more uplifting mood when you’re around certain people? Or have you ever found yourself feeling down when you’re around certain people? Have you ever heard of the concept inner circle versus outer circle?
Well, I don’t know about you but I find this in my own life. When I surround myself around people who are life giving, positive, faithful, uplifting, real, honest, I too, find myself having these characteristics. Proverbs 13:20 says this, “whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” This doesn’t mean you should cut people out of your life that may not be like you or have opposite values etc. It simply means who are the 1-4 people in your inner circle who are your support system, the people you call frequently, see frequently, people you consider maybe good friends or family. These may be the people that share the same values, beliefs, and are going to fuel your fire. Take a good look at how they are influencing you.
I have found over the years and through sermons and books that I’ve read that there is definitely this concept of your inner circle versus your outer circle. See, your inner circle are those few people that you can call if you need to that you’re around frequently you talk to frequently and that probably influence you the most. I am an introvert to the core. I am good with just a few people in my life that I talk to frequently and share beliefs with. As I’ve aged I’ve seen how this has played out in my life. I am realizing how important it is the people in my life and how they affect me. Its more than just having positive people around you. Its a deeper concept of people who breathe life into you and uplift you and support you. What kind of language are people using that are around you frequently? What kinds of activities are these people partaking in? For me, its important to have people in my life that will walk a journey with me that help me fuel that fire that has been burning in my soul. These people are life giving, supportive, followers of Jesus and truly have a relationship with God. They will pray with me, grow in our relationship with God together, but most of all help me be better every single day.
Your outer circle are those that you are acquaintances with, and your around intermittently. You may talk to them but they don’t necessarily influence the way you act or talk or what you think. You may not share all the same values as them. Who are these people for you? For me its some of my family, my neighbors, friends, and colleagues. The outer circle matters but keep in mind these people may not be ones you can control whether or not they are in your life.
The passion for this blog is to encourage others to find an inner circle. One that fits you. Proverbs 18:24 says this, “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Find your person or people. Find the people that help you be a better human being. “Do not be deceived: “bad company ruins good morals,” 1 Corinthians 15:33. We all have talents and gifts in this broken yet beautiful world we live in and I encourage you to decide who are you surrounding yourself around?
“Iron Sharpens iron, just as one man sharpens another,” proverbs 27:17
