Toxic environments are sickening, destructive, stressful, intimidating, terrifying, scary, intimidating and frustrating. The moment you find yourself in this environment you feel like moving out of that town, section, street, school, company, department, church, organisation, home, friendship and relationship.
You may found yourself in a toxic and hostile environment today – negativity, gossiping, bullying, intimidation, abusive, infighting, plotting, scheming, harassment, intimidation, belittling, demeaning, deception and sarcasm. The list is endless.
It is time to rise above the situation. Be strong, remain focused, know what you want in life, serve the Lord purposefully and live according to the word of God. Never allow yourself to be part of toxicity and to let what is toxic to poison you.
In the book of Samuel in the Bible, we read about Samuel, himself, growing in a toxic house of Prophet Eli but he survived toxicity and became the most powerful prophet of God, who became instrumental in the anointment of David as a King.
We read the story of Samuel in 1 Samuel 2. He found himself in the midst of the corrupt sons of Eli. Verse 12 describes them as rogues, who had no regard for the Lord. They neither had respect for their father, Eli, and the worshippers, who always came to the temple to make sacrifices. They also slept with women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting.
The Lord was not pleased with them as explained in verse 17 that “this sin of the young men was very great in the Lord’s sight, for they were treating the Lord’s offering with contempt.”
But as for Samuel knew why he was in the house of Eli – to serve the Lord and he did so diligently. “But Samuel was ministering before the Lord—a boy wearing a linen ephod,” states verse 18.
Samuel became a breath of fresh to the worshippers and the people of Israel, who were belittled, undermined and scorned by Eli’s sons every time they appeared before the Lord at the Lord. He rose above toxicity and toxic environment. In verse 26 we read thus, “and the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the Lord and with people.”
You can also do so rise above toxicity and survive the toxic environment. Never allow any negativity, belittling and demeaning to defocus you. Push forward. Reach out for better things, better environments and a happy life.
Samuel chose to focus on his assignment and calling. He made the Lord his source of strength and refuge.
Pastor Matefu Mokoena is the Presiding Pastor of Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa, Batho Assembly in Bloemfontein. For prayer requests and counselling contact him on whattsapp – 083 563 5062. You can also follow him on facebook:
