Take a moment to consider the people closest to you. Do they all nod along with every decision you make? While universal agreement might feel comforting, it could actually be a warning sign that you’re surrounding yourself with people who won’t challenge you when you need it most.

True friendship requires a careful balance. On one hand, we all need cheerleaders who believe in us, celebrate our wins, and offer encouragement during tough times. These supporters provide the emotional foundation we need to take risks and pursue our dreams.

But we also need truth-tellers. We need friends brave enough to ask hard questions, point out blind spots, and lovingly challenge us when we’re heading down the wrong path. These aren’t perpetual critics who question every move you make, but trusted voices willing to speak up when it matters most, especially when everyone else is staying silent.

This is where the Church community becomes invaluable. When you’re part of a group that includes people from different backgrounds, ages, and life experiences, you gain access to wisdom you can’t find in an echo chamber. These diverse perspectives can illuminate dangers you might miss and reveal opportunities you hadn’t considered.

A healthy inner circle includes both types of friends: people who lift you up and those who keep you grounded. The key is learning to distinguish between destructive criticism and constructive challenge, then having the wisdom to listen when someone who truly cares about you raises a concern.

The goal isn’t to create conflict in your relationships, but to cultivate a network of people who care enough to tell you both what you’re doing right and what you might be doing wrong. These relationships, built on mutual respect and genuine care, can be your greatest asset in making wise decisions and living with integrity.