Influence - Hannah

This week's chapter- well, Ann prepped me for the chapter before I read it- so I was ready to be defensive; however, I actually rather liked the chapter and agreed with most of it!  Influence- everyone is affected by influence- positive or negative- music, tv, computer, people.  I've constantly heard you are who your friends are- it is so easily to be influenced by those we are around- I'd like to say that I am always positive- but I am not- I feel like stress and emotions sometimes get the best of me and instead of giving those to the Lord and trying to maintain my positiveness, I am easily swayed to be negative and have a bad attitude- obviously, I know that when I am positive things are better- and I am a more loving person then...John constantly tells me that for me to have a bad attitude can ruin his day- he may be negative, but he relies on me being positive to make things better : ) Mary said, "The "respectful" and 'pure" conduct of the women is what would have the greatest impact.  I want to be respectful and pure- I was to be exuding positivity at all times- I want people to want to be around me, because they see something in me (Christ) that makes me positive and different.  "The more Christlike you are, the most positive your influence will be.  If you truly want to influence someone else for good, you won't focus on changing his behavior.  You'll focus on changing your behavior."  I want to have a positive influence- I need to not be solely focused on how other people are or where they are at- but focus on where I am at and who I am.  I need to focus on me representing Christ- and know that He will use me, especially when I am positive and loving life.
Lord, please forgive me for being so easily influenced by surroundings and negative situations/outcomes- help me to give each day to You, so that I can choose to be positive everyday- EVEN when it's easier to be negative.  Help me to shut Satan down when he tries to intervene- he has a sly way of sneaking in- help me to stay strong and focused on You, so that I do not give him a foothold.  Lord, I pray for Ann and Em- help them and me focus on being more like You- help us to seek You wholeheartedly and look for opportunities to influence others in positive ways.  Thank you for loving us and for being so understanding- and just meeting us where we are at- may we honor You in ALL that we do this week!