TEARS  More than a few of us base our self-esteem on being tough!  We pride ourselves on our strength and judge ourselves by an incredible standard of self-sufficiency.  Never will we let anyone know that we're in need. Just as likely, we'll never admit it to ourselves, either. Yet self-esteem, as true humility, is not the denial of truth, but the admission of reality.  To be a whining crybaby is one thing.  But to acknowledge our own pain, need, or hurt is quite another.  "I must never show weakness" is a mandate that leads to disaster.  It betrays an immature attitude that must be outgrown if our self-esteem is to grow.  Denial of pain only drives the pain deeper. Commonly, repressed emotional hurt reveals itself in headaches, backaches, and stomach disorders. Perhaps the toughest people are those who have the courage to reach out for help when they need it -- before their bodies cry out against the emotional turmoil that we were too "tough" to deal with.  Weakness parading under a banner of strength can cost me my health.   An agreeable companion on a journey is as good as a carriage. ~~~~Publilius Syrus Everywhere we go we find good apples and bad apples. There are negative people who for many reasons walk a low road themselves and invite us to travel the same path.  Because they don't expect clear weather or good road conditions, they never find them. Chuck-holes are what they know and chuckholes are what they get.  As long as we walk with them, we travel under the same conditions. There are also positive people, who for equally varied reasons, have chosen to walk the high road.  They, too, find pretty much what they expect to find as they mosey along.  Mostly they get sunny days, straight routes, and interesting experiences along the way. They don't expect to run into problems they can't handle, so for the most part they don't.  Walking in their company gives us the same kind of trip.  We can join either caravan we want to.  As long as we're alive we're traveling one road or the other. Shall we define the journey in terms of sprained ankles and lost luggage, or in terms of progress and adventure?  The choice would seem not too hard to make. The quality of my journey is largely defined by the quality of my companions.

Walk with Jesus for He is the best companion we can have.

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