I’d like to start of this post by asking you an important question. “How many years do you 
have in this life”? I know it’s an unfair question because obviously none of us really know the answer. We can assume we know but we really don’t. Alright, how about a more fair question? “How much of your time on this earth are you willing to waste”? This is a question answered according to personal choice. Most people would answer “none”. Although, we do waste time sometimes here on earth, don’t we? Since this post is about choosing empowering people in our lives, you can see why I asked that question. I had to set the tone for the importance of this subject. None of us really want to waste any precious moments on energy draining associations. Life is important and your success is important, isn’t it?
This is what the Bible says about giving in to the wrong type of people in life:
Proverbs 25:26The Message (MSG)
26 “A good person who gives in to a bad person
is a muddied spring, a polluted well”.
Now you know why part of my title is about keeping your well clean. This one is real cut and dry, so I am not sure why we tend to choose to stay around those who are not good for us. Our lives are way too important and our time is way too precious to waste around those who do not empower us but bring us downward.
Here are some examples of empowering people. Maybe you can come up with a few of your own as well. Empowering people are those who:
Want the best for you whether you are doing well or not.
Want the best for you whether you are friends or not.
Will edify you to stay strong in the right things and in the right ways.
Will honor what you pursue and will honor your life lessons.
Will keep your struggles confidential when you need a lift or to be strengthened.
Will honor your faith, beliefs, and pursuits, knowing that your life choices are your own.
Will speak the truth to you even when it is hard to hear because they want the best for you.
Will empower you in relationship with them instead of bring your life downward.
Will celebrate your successes with true joy and admiration.
Will energetically support you and not drain you.
Will honestly and thoughtfully pray for your life and for good things to come for you.
Will not undermine you or the relationship connections that are a part of you by spreading gossip, drama, or create havoc in your life.
If you have people in your life who embody these things, do not let them go! If there are those who fall very short of these things, well, you read the proverb. It is really best to let them go. Of course, people can be redeemed. We forgive them. If they truly have changed then there is no reason not to empower them with your forgiving friendship, but if they have not changed, the only thing to do is let them go. We should trust people, but I want you to be wise as to whom you do choose to trust. Not everyone in this world is worthy of the trust you give to them. Yes, it is very sad, but it is the truth. Since I want to be an empowering person for you, let me offer you this prayer:
Father God, I will not waste time in my life by allowing those into it who disempower me. I only draw toward me those who will be supportive of an empowered life. I know “if two can not agree they can not walk together”, so therefore, I have only those in my life who agree to be supportive of my life’s choices and who value me as a person. In Jesus’ powerful name and heart. amen!
(Dedicated to those who uplift me, empower me, love me, and want the best for me. Thank you for being respectful of my precious time, breath, and life. )
Empoweringly, (Is that a word? LOL )
Pastor Jenine Marie Howry
Life Lessons by Jenine Marie 