Many of us are concerned about what we put into our bodies to preserve our health. Some of us are also careful to guard our minds by examining the things we read, watch or listen to so we can protect our mental health. But have we considered the effect of the people we associate with?

In the book Who's Looking Out for You? Bill O'Reilly talks about the type of friends we choose. "In the end, you are not what you eat. Rather, you are whom you associate with. If you run with the despicable people, the heavy odds are that you are despicable as well." His comment backs up the age-old saying, "birds of a feather flock together."

The book of Proverbs talks a lot about friendships, wisdom and the need to be around those who will help us to grow in wisdom.

We have two choices. One is to walk with the fools and be destroyed, and the other is to walk with the wise and grow. "He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm" (Proverbs 13:20, New International Version).

Seek out those who are wise and experienced and associate with them. Hang with those who can challenge you to be all that you can be. Bill O'Reilly says, "If you embrace honest, caring, and strong people, I can almost guarantee that you will have accomplished many positive things on this earth. George Washington once said, 'Associate yourself with men of quality if you esteem your own reputation, for 'tis better to be alone than in bad company'" (page 30).

Ask God to bring people into your life who are wise, caring, experienced and honest. Ask God to give you a mentor who will help you to excel to your highest level for God's use. Remember, we are known by the company we keep. Do you want to stay the same or be challenged to be all that you can be? For me the greatest opportunity I have had was to surround myself with friends who motivate, challenge and encourage me to be the best that I can be.

In order to grow, we must choose our friends wisely—friends who will lift us to new heights and not bring us down.