There are many things in life that I might enjoy, but I choose to avoid because they are toxic to me. Things that I may love, but for some reason, take me off track, off my path. 

The most important thing to me is that I recognize the things that are toxic in my life. Some things I can eliminate, others I can distance myself from, and then there are the things I live with daily that I must manage.

When it is clear to me that something is poisoning my ability to serve Jesus, I know it is time to eliminate the distraction.  It might be that I no longer involve myself in an activity, or I might remove myself from unwanted noise or distraction.

Other times, I can simply keep a distance between myself and the known toxic issue.  I might love many things about the person or thing, but it is not the right place for me to be at that time. 

Often, the most difficult toxic things for me to manage are the things that I face daily in my life.  These things may not be toxic for others, yet move me off my intended path. 

Whether you are a person who sees life as the glass being half full or half empty, most of us have to manage moving through our day, adjusting to personalities that differ from our own.  The things that are toxic to one might be similar to those of others, or they might be opposite, creating a major challenge.  On occasion, those differences are extreme, and our ability to stay on path is challenged.

It is what we do when we face these toxic things in our lives that is important.  Do we ignore them and live with them, or do we find a way to rid ourselves of the toxicity, allowing ourselves peace?

I manage the things that are toxic to me through prayer.  I thank Jesus for guiding me, and then I listen.  Immediate response is not guaranteed, but with patients, my path opens, and I am able to move through the toxic environment.

Thanks to Jesus, I move through toxic paths when I am prepared with a plan of being grateful and prayerful.

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