joshua 1:9 "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord you God will be with you wherever you go." God offers us the strength to meet our challenges, and He offers us hope for the future. One way that He shares His message of hope is through the words of encouraging friends and family members. Hope, like other human emotions, is contagious. If we spend our time with positive, encouraging people, their enthusiasm will have a tendency to lift our spirits. But if we find ourselves spending too much time with naysayers we will tend to be negative. If you need or want encouragement in your life, choose who you spend your time with wisely.