You’ve probably noticed that when in the presence of certain people, you thrive. Something about their nature allows you to flourish; they draw out your best qualities and nurture their growth.

Maybe you’ve noticed the opposite, too: something about certain people causes your best self to retreat. Those people stymie your gifts, your personality, your well-intended aspirations and values — they quench your potential.

Difficult people will always be in your midst, but you can control where you put down your roots. You can interact with most people without having to embed yourself in the same ground in which they are rooted. Mingle, converse, disregard, listen, learn, laugh and enjoy when you cross paths … but only plant yourself in ground where righteousness is nurtured.

There may be seasons in your life when nobody provides fertile ground for your growth. Still, you are not without opportunity to bloom — put down your roots in…