Your circle is more than the people you talk to—it is the spiritual atmosphere you live in every day. Proverbs 13:20 reminds us, “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” Who you surround yourself with shapes who you are becoming. Your circle is your soil. Just like Jesus taught in the parable of the sower in Luke 8, the seed is always good, but it either thrives or dies depending on the ground it falls on. If your soil is filled with negativity, jealousy, gossip, and unhealed hearts, then your spirit will constantly fight to survive. But if your soil is rich with encouragers, faith-filled individuals, prayer partners, and truth-tellers, you will flourish just like Psalm 1:3 describes: “A tree planted by streams of water, bearing fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither.”
Your circle determines whether you live plugged in or slowly drained. I often imagine it like a lamp—your purpose glows beautifully when connected to the right source, but the wrong people will quietly unplug you until you don’t even notice your light is fading. Scripture warns us in 1 Corinthians 15:33, “Do not be deceived: Bad company corrupts good character.” The wrong circle chips away at you silently—your joy, your clarity, your identity—until you realize you’re dimmer than you used to be.
Think about Jonah. One man running from God caused a storm that hit everyone on the boat with him (Jonah 1). Some storms you are battling didn’t originate with you—they came from who you allowed on your boat. Sometimes the key to peace isn’t rebuking the wind; it’s making sure the right people are sailing with you. Jesus Himself modeled the importance of choosing wisely. He had the crowds, the twelve, the three, and the one—not everyone received the same access to His heart. Likewise, not everyone in your life is meant to walk closely with you.
Sis, your circle is not casual—it is spiritual. It can water your growth or wither your confidence. It can pull you closer to Christ or slowly disconnect you from the truth. The good news is that God is sending people who will celebrate you and not compete with you; people who will pray for you, not prey on you; people who will lift your arms when life feels too heavy. Protect your atmosphere. Guard your spirit. And choose relationships that lead you back to the feet of Jesus. Because your future—your healing, your peace, your purpose—is connected to the power of your circle