Traveling through Asia, I was shocked by how many people smoked. Old and young, shop owners, business people, even health care professionals were smoking on the streets, while holding babies, inside hotels and businesses. After all the changes in the US and Europe, I was surprised.
My business partner who works on addiction programs with some of our clients was not at all surprised. She explained that the body adapts to what surrounds it, to what it’s used to. Over time, with addictions, it not only adapts, it craves. Babies surrounded by smokers all their lives become addicted. If everybody smokes everywhere around everybody in this generation then most of the next generation will be addicted.

That made me think – “What are we surrounded by?” “What do I surround myself with most of the time?” and “What am I surrounding the people who hang around me with?” 

If we want to be Christians, to be made in the image of God and reflect that image… if we want to be transformed into Christ-likeness, we have to be very careful about what we surround ourselves with. It’s been said, we become what we think about. Our thoughts become our words, our words become actions, our actions become our habits, and our habits become our character. What kind of thoughts are we surrounding ourselves with? What do we read, watch on television, talk with others about? What do we pay particular attention to, and what do we help our eyes slide past quickly to rest on better things?

God has some good advice on how to occupy our time and our minds. Read Philippians 4:8, and remember: God loves you UNCONDITIONALLY!  

Mike