Inspiration

Luke 8:51, NLT

When they arrived at the house, Jesus wouldn't let anyone go in with him except Peter, John, James, and the little girl's father and mother.

In today's Scripture, Jesus went to pray for a little girl who had died. When he arrived at the house, everyone was crying and upset. He told them that she wasn't dead, that she was just asleep, and they began to laugh and scoff. It's not surprising that He only allowed Peter, James, John, and the girl's parents to be with Him in the room and witness the child's resurrection.

Jesus could have done this miracle in front of everyone. But He kept the others out to show us the importance of surrounding ourselves with people who speak life and hope, people who agree with what we're believing for. When you face difficulties, you need to keep your mind filled with thoughts of faith. You can't afford to have negative, discouraging people telling you how it can never happen. Get out of a negative environment, get away from people who enable your dysfunction, get away from people who tell you that where you are is where you'll always be. You have to set some boundaries.

Father, thank You for the people You've brought into my life who are positive and encourage my faith. Help me to build strong relationships with them and to keep my distance from those who are negative and discouraging. I will be careful to set appropriate boundaries. In Jesus' Name, Amen.