You may have heard it said that you are essentially the average of the five closest people to you. Hang with the wise, you tend to be wise. (Maybe you’re thinking to yourself, “Uh oh. I need to level up my circle.”) If you’re a regular companion of fools, the outcome is usually pretty foolish. It just stands to reason.

But have you ever considered that the friends you surround yourself with have the power to build your confidence? Great friends often see things in us we do not appreciate. Or recognize potential we would never draw out on our own. Circles of good friends draw out the best in us, and as a result produce a confidence that could never be found in isolation.

Godly friendships have the power to build our confidence and strengthen our faith. Reflect on friendships that have spoken truth into your life and helped you grow spiritually. Consider how these friends have encouraged you to trust in God’s promises and step out in faith. Perhaps it was a mentor, or a coach, or a teacher in your life that recognized a hidden potential in you and inspired a deeper confidence. Our connections can elate or deflate, which is why the choices we make in friendships is so vital. You have the power to make great choices.

In the company of wise friends who fear the Lord (Proverbs 13:20), we find guidance and support that lead to greater confidence in our identity and purpose in Christ. Today, choose to surround yourself with friends who speak life into your living, who affirm your worth in God’s eyes, and who challenge you to live according to His Word and His promises for your future. Walk with the wise today and become wiser.