In farming and in life, what you plant alongside matters. In my garden, I’ve been researching companion planting—pairing certain crops together so they naturally protect, enrich, and help one another thrive. Basil strengthens tomatoes, marigolds protect beans, and clover replenishes nitrogen in the soil. Each pairing makes the other stronger.

Our relationships work the same way. Who we allow into our lives shapes how we grow, the fruit we bear, and the peace we carry. Scripture reminds us, “Do not be deceived: Bad company corrupts good character” (1 Corinthians 15:33). Just as a plant can be stunted by the wrong neighbor, our spiritual growth can be hindered by relationships that do not encourage us to walk closer with the Lord.

Surrounding Yourself with the Right People

God designed us for community—not shallow, surface-level relationships, but meaningful ones rooted in love, faith, and truth. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” The people we walk with should sharpen us, not dull us. They should challenge us to pursue God’s best, not settle for the world’s distractions.

When you surround yourself with people who pray with you and for you, something powerful happens. James 5:16 says, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” I’ve seen this truth firsthand. When the prayers of God’s people are lifted up, mountains move, chains break, and weary hearts are strengthened.

Just like a trellis supports a climbing vine, these relationships give us stability when life feels heavy. They lift us toward the light of Christ, reminding us we are not alone.

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Lessons in the Valleys

Recently, the Lord has led me down some uncomfortable paths—ones I wouldn’t have chosen for myself, but ones He used to mold my heart, touch my mind, and teach me lessons I desperately needed. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us, 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.

I’ve had to learn what it means to lean not on my own understanding, to be satisfied and confident in my relationship with Jesus rather than seeking the approval of man. There was a time when manipulative relationships cast fear over me and caused me to doubt my worth and value before the Lord. But God—rich in mercy and full of grace—has never once left my side.

He reminds me daily that I am a blessed and highly favored child of His. Though I don’t deserve His patience, mercy, or grace, He freely extends it to me. “But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one” (2 Thessalonians 3:3).

Pruning Back to Grow Stronger

Any good gardener knows pruning is necessary. Cutting back branches may feel painful, but it’s what allows the plant to grow stronger and produce more fruit. Jesus Himself said in John 15:2, “Every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”

In the same way, God sometimes asks us to prune relationships that weigh us down. Not every friendship is meant for every season. There will be times when He asks us to step back—or even walk away completely—from relationships that steal our peace or keep us from pursuing His calling. Being “set apart” isn’t always comfortable, but it is what He has called us to be.

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light”  – 1 Peter 2:9

And yet, even in the pruning, God provides. He places people in my life who push me forward in my relationship with Him—people who pray with me and for me, who read Scripture with me, who offer wisdom when my mind tries to revert back to old habits. These friends suffer alongside me in the valleys and rejoice with me when God brings me through the storm to the other side just like God calls us to in 1 Corinthians 12:26, “And whether one member suffereth, all the members suffer with it; or one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.” They build me up, edify me, and remind me to cling to His power.

Agricultural Lessons for the Heart

In the field, I’m considering what to plant alongside my herbs next year to drive growth naturally, without chemicals. It’s a small but important reminder: the right partnerships create abundance, while the wrong ones can deplete the soil and invite pests.

The same is true for our souls. If we continually invest in relationships that are not life-giving, we find ourselves spiritually drained. But when we choose companions who are rooted in God’s Word, who pray with us and encourage us in faith, we see growth that is sustainable and fruitful.

Choosing to Stay Salty

Jesus calls us in Matthew 5:13 to be the “salt of the earth.” Salt preserves, enhances, and adds flavor. But to stay salty—to stay strong in our faith and distinct in our calling—we must be careful about the influences we allow in.

“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.” – Matthew 5:13

Just as salt can become diluted or contaminated and lose its saltiness, we can dilute our faith and trust in the Lord when we let fear of judgment and the approval of man contaminate our mind and spirit. What value then is that relationship bringing to our lives? Is it helping us to be a light of the world and fulfill God’s will for us? Relationships should point us back to Him, reminding us of His goodness, His promises, and His purpose for our lives.

If that means pruning back, so be it. If it means walking down uncomfortable paths, we can trust that He is still walking with us. If it means standing apart from the crowd, we do so with courage, knowing that His grace is sufficient and His truth is everlasting.

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Just as healthy plants thrive in healthy soil with the right companions, so do we. So today I ask myself: Who is planted beside me? Are they helping me grow toward Christ, or pulling me away from Him? It may be time to plant something new—or to prune for a better harvest.

Because in the end, the Lord has promised never to leave nor forsake us. And in every season—whether planting, pruning, or harvesting—He is faithful.