“We have a tendency to adopt the attitudes of those we spend time with. That’s why Paul wrote, “Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you.” (Romans 1:12 NCV)

Fred Smith points out that there are two kinds of people in any group: polluters and purifiers. The polluters are like smoke stacks belching out dirty smoke all the time. They hate clear skies. No matter how good it gets they find a way to make it gloomy. When the people around them breathe their toxins they feel sicker and sicker. The purifiers, on the other hand, make everything around them better. It doesn’t matter what kind of rotten atmosphere they encounter. They take in the toxic words of polluters just as everyone else does, but they filter them before passing them on. What goes in gloomy and negative comes out fresh and clear.

So, are you a polluter or a purifier? When you spend time with others do they walk away feeling better or worse? Do you clear the air giving them fresh perspective and encouragement, or do they leave you feeling hopeless about things? Watch how people respond to you and you’ll know which group you belong in.

Bottom line: doubters usually get what they expect.  So do believers! Looking for God’s best in every situation is not only scriptural; it helps you to see opportunities that you’d otherwise miss. Seeing people through God’s eyes causes them to be attracted and open to you. Is that important? Absolutely! Your attitude will reach them long before your message does.

I got this from a devotional book I read a few years ago.  It has stuck with me and it came to mind for today’s entry.