Day 7
We’re not always in control of changing things that are going on around us, but we’re always in control of changing and managing ourselves. This is the essence of self-development – learning and building new skills that will improve our life for the purposes of God. However, although most would agree on the importance of self-development, making self-development an ongoing part of our lives is no easy feat. The rewards are great, but it requires tremendous discipline and discomfort because our flesh resists change.
“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.” – 1 Corinthians 13:11
In this scripture, the Apostle Paul highlights the importance of growing and evolving as individuals. When we take honest inventory of our lives, each of us has an opportunity to invest in our own self-development. Bad habits such as being late, procrastination, or failing to follow through on commitments are easily overlooked but can serve as stumbling blocks that prevent us from reaching our goals. Self-development is woven all throughout scripture. It’s one of the ways we grow, mature, and become everything that God intended us to be.
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.
Questions
1
What area of your life will you choose to develop first that will yield the greatest impact to your overall wellbeing?
2
How will doing so positively affect others around you?
Prayer
Father, in Your word, you’ve told me to “fear not” because You are with me. Help me to have the courage to carry out Your purpose for my life. Guide my footsteps as I move forward boldly to develop all that You have already equipped me with. I pray for the insight to see blind spots in my life, and the strength to face them head on. Amen.