"He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed" (Prov. 13:20).
Associating with the right kind of people creates a right atmosphere. There are people who feel it is their call in life to convince you that you didn't hear from God, and even if you did, it will never come to pass. There are even some family members who think they have a "special calling" to try to talk you out of everything God has told you.
I remember one time, we were involved in a ministry building project and the Devil was fighting us over it day and night. He kept saying that we would never be able to finish this project. I had been invited to preach in a meeting in Tulsa, OK, so instead of staying where I normally stayed, I decided I was going to get a hotel room directly across from Oral Roberts University and request a room with a view.
I checked into my hotel room, opened the drapes, pulled my chair right up in front of the window and I sat for hours looking out at that campus. I even pulled a chair up next to me for the Devil and said, "Now, let's take a closer look. You said faith won't work. Sit down, let's look." He tried to get up, but I wouldn't let him. I said, "You started this by saying faith won't work, so I'm not releasing you yet, you're not allowed to go. Just sit here and let's talk about what faith will do and what faith won't do. Just keep looking at this campus." I said, "Faith built this campus and faith can build what God wants me to build."
Now notice, I didn't go look for people who would agree with the Devil and tell me it's impossible. If I had done that, they would have tried to rob me of my dream and pull me down to their level. I don't need to hear that. I'm trying to build something. I need to be stirred up and encouraged. I need to be around people of faith.
Have you ever noticed that the non-dreamers usually outnumber the dreamers? That means you're going to have to be very selective. It may cost you some so-called friends. He who walks with the companion of fools will be destroyed. If you walk around with fools, you're going to get hurt. They will steal your dream right out of your heart.
So determine that you're going to associate with the right kind of people who will help create a proper atmosphere for your dreams to come true. Don't run around with faithless people. Don't expose your dreams to people who never dream. Fellowship with those who believe and practice in their own lives the reality that all things are possible to him that believeth!
Excerpt permission granted by Jerry Savelle Ministries International