Atmosphere
Behave so the aroma of your actions may enhance the general sweetness of the atmosphere. - Henry David Thoreau -
A flower needs just the right atmosphere with enough nutrients, sunlight, water, etc to bloom and to thrive. Like a flower you also need an atmosphere of kindness, love, acceptance, peace and generosity of spirit to grow and to become the person God purposed you to be. Surround yourself with an atmosphere that is filled with God’s love and the fruit of His Spirit (Gal 5:22).
It may be physical by playing praise and worship music and working in a clean, organized environment that is pleasing to the eye. It can also be emotional by focusing your thoughts on and spending your time doing things that are pure, lovely, honest, (Phil 4:8), with people that encourage you to grow. Your spiritual atmosphere should be filled with intimate time spent with your Heavenly Father, and a sense of being loved and accepted, and fellow believers encouraging and building you up, and praying with and for you.
Besides creating the right atmosphere around yourself, you also have the responsibility and privilege to influence the atmosphere of other people. Are your words and actions conducive to create an atmosphere of growth, happiness, unity, joy and peace? Do your loved ones, family, friends, colleagues and other people feel special and blessed, encouraged and loved when they come into your presence or when they walk away from you? Have they smelled the sweet savor of Christ in you? (2 Cor 2:15)
Create an atmosphere of love by spreading the sweet-smelling savor of Christ today.