1. I Became My Best-Self with Heavenly Wisdom from Above.
I've seen the opposite side of "good" when I didn't ask for wisdom from above before committing to anything.
Now, before I answer yes or no, I ask the Lord to bless me and give me wisdom first.
James 1:5, (KJV)
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
I have found this simple principle of asking the Lord for heavenly wisdom before I do anything has brought me a lot of peace and freedom – for which I am so thankful.
Although this action takes a bit of discipline, it is well worth the effort – it also helps me slow down a bit before rushing into things.
King Solomon asked for a discerning heart of wisdom to govern people and distinguish right from wrong because he recognized his lack of maturity. (1 Kings 3:1-15)
Boy, am I ever immature sometimes! I could use this kind of wisdom! So I'm carefully acknowledging the Lord in all my ways, lest I be wise in my eyes, (Proverbs 3:7, KJV).
We can't be our best self or have any personal growth without wisdom from above, so, let's ask the Lord for a discerning spirit that judges wisely between right and wrong. Then, go out and be YOUR BEST-SELF!
2. I Became My Best-Self After I Accepted Myself.
How many times have we done something rashly or said something stupid that we later regretted? Or maybe misspoke and sounded foolish?
This has happened to me so many times! Causing me to spiral into depression for days and days afterwards! Well, I'm determined to not let these things drag me down anymore!
You want to know why? Because I had an epiphany - I AM HUMAN! Yup, that's right! I make mistakes sometimes, and so does everyone else!
And another thing too, I don't make these mistakes on purpose. The Lord knows I do not want to hurt anyone, sound stupid, or say anything that offends another person. If I have done that, I am truly sorry. And I forgive myself for those mistakes, but I'm not going to let those mistakes keep me from living life anymore.
I'm not going to dwell upon my human failures but forgive myself asap! My new approach is to learn my lesson quickly and learn not to repeat the same mistake twice, and… if I do, I will acknowledge it right away, forgive myself again and move on.
Since applying this rule to my life I have experienced such freedom when talking with others. Especially in front of crowds. If I flounder when I speak, I laugh it off in my mind and try to get back on track with my thoughts and my dialogue. This takes some practice, but once you have it done - you own it!
Also, having the spirit of judgment helps me to discern what to say and what not to say in conversations. Which also helps me be MY BEST-SELF!
3. I Became My Best-Self When I Laughed at Myself.
I love laughing, and since I make a lot of blunders, --I laugh a lot!
No more sulking when a word doesn't come to me, no more feeling sorry for myself because I can't express my thoughts and ideas like someone else can --I am who I am! And I'm free to be me!
I am confident in who I am as a person and know that I will bring something completely unique to the table, blunders and all!
Why? because I have learned to appreciate my experiences in life and know I have good things to share and add to conversations just like anyone else, even if I make a mistake while talking. I just need to keep going to I can share what needs to be shared!
What I've come to realize, is that people don't really care if you make a mistake. They actually like you more for it! Because then you appear human to them and it makes them feel better about themselves 😊
Now, when I misspeak, or have a "lapse" in judgement, I laugh at myself --because it's funny, not because I'm looking like a clown, but, because the mistake reminds me I'm human - and humans make mistakes! My pride goes out the window and I'm back being MY BEST-SELF again!
4. I Became My Best-Self When I Forgave Past Hurts.
When a new day dawns, approach it as a clean slate and ask the Lord for help in looking forward and not backwards. Being able to let go of past hurts and grudges is a sure sign of maturity.
The book of Philippians makes this clear:
Philippians 3:12-16 (NIV)
…One thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
It takes a mature person to overcome hurt and continue on in God’s purposes. That is why verse 12 says, "I press on toward the goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
A mature person acknowledges it takes inner strength to keep going, and a resolve in one’s spirit to press ahead and not look back. This is the only way to experience true freedom and enjoy life.
Free yourself today and forgive those who have done you wrong. You can't change the past, but you can change your future. Start now and ask the Lord for help.
If you are reading these tips up to this point, then you desire to attain maturity, and a mature person is a free person who is striving to be their BEST-SELF!
5. I Became My Best-Self When I Tapped Into My God-Given Talents.
Raising my children was a joy. Now that they have moved on in life and no longer need every day care from me, I can consider using my God-given gifts and talents on a more regular basis.
James 1:17 (KJV)
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.
Things in my life began to change when I realized my God-given gifts and talents could produce fruit. Not physical fruit, but fruit by way of blessing other people.
John 15:16 (NIV)
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.
Once I realized God gave me these gifts and talents to be a blessing, freedom of expression came by way of giving. The last few years have been exciting for me in ways I never imagined.
With my new found freedom of giving, I realized I loved to be creative in so many ways. For one thing I found out I absolutely LOVE to write!
It is funny, but I never, ever thought of myself as a writer, but here I am, writing blog posts and people are enjoying them.
I wrote a memoir and I can't believe how much I've enjoyed the whole process! Who would've guessed?! I hated writing in school - LOL! But, it was a God-given talent that was dormant until God appointed a time for it to flourish and bring forth fruit.
This past year, I have tapped into my artsy side and started drawing again, and my desire to finish the songs I've written has awakened in me as well.
It was like a "creative cap" was on me until the day my kids graduated from college and no longer needed my emotional support.
Bam! The Lord said, “Now is your time to be creative!”
All those years of raising kids, making dinners, driving to school activities, I was patiently waiting to let my creativity flow, giving my kids and family the utmost attention they deserved, and because I was faithful in my God-given position of wife and mother, God chose to bless me with His anointing and grace! I'm excited for the future!
The road to becoming My BEST-SELF is no longer darkened --I can see goals and projects ahead --and it feels great!
Our paths ahead are all different, and you may be wondering when and if your God-given talents and gifts will be used. Be assured that God sees you and knows all about your gifts because He gave them to you! Trust in Him, and be content with your life, and be faithful in whatever it is you have to do. And remember...
Romans 8:28 (KJV)
All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purposes.
6. I Became My Best-Self When I Learned the Art of Giving.
I will always remember what a great man of God once said, “Have Teflon coated hands when giving to people.”
Have you ever tried frying something in a pan only to have your food stick to the bottom? Then you waste your precious minutes on earth scrapping that food off.
That is why I always use a non-stick frying pan. It is ‘Teflon-coated’ and nothing will stick to it. Having this concept at the forefront of my thinking when giving to others helps me give generously.
If I don’t have Teflon coated hands when giving to others, then I may withhold something I ought to give. A generous person will give freely without holding back.
Proverbs 11:25 (ESV)
A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
Everything freely comes from God, so why not freely give? I am so thankful we have provisions to give whenever necessary. We've been blessed with so much in the United States.
Sometimes I give even when there is no physical need, but just to bless or encourage.
Just recently I gave someone a cute little plaque that had a word of encouragement on it, and this women to whom it was given was touched because it spoke to the situation she was facing.
Another time I put together a bag of snacks and movies for someone who was going into quarantine for a long time.
Both actions refreshed my soul and blessed me as well as the recipient.
I have purposed within my heart to give and give whenever possible. Even if it is a smile, a hug, a kind word, or a gesture.
AND it feels awesome!
If I want to become MY BEST-SELF then this is a good way to start!
I love this verse found in Luke 6:38, Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Just yesterday, someone who knows us very well and knows we LOVE coffee, shipped an expensive coffee pot to our door, just because they wanted too. It was such a blessing to receive!
Could it be this coffee pot is the beginning of our good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over?
I do not know! But I am going to keep on giving so I can see this verse fulfilled in our lives!
7. I Became My Best-Self When I Learned to Relax.
Sometimes I get so busy that I forget to take a break! Then I become grouchy and lose my cool fast. One way to get ahead of the game, is to take breaks regularly. When this is hard to do, I make sure to go to bed early.
I have noticed when I go to bed early, say, between 9:30 pm – 10 pm, it allows me to have a little time to read before sleeping, which helps me relax and get a good night’s sleep, and I wake refreshed the next morning.
It seems straightforward right? But get this – I found out when I go to bed early and sleep well, I was able to get up and exercise before my morning coffee. Now you can't beat that!
Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise – Benjamin Franklin.
Read blog post on how to Rest to Be Your Best
8. I Became My Best-Self When I Walked in Faith.
Faith is something that can't be seen but is evidenced in the way we walk, talk and act. It is having confidence in what you hope for even though you cannot see it.
Faith is so simple for me, yet I know it is difficult for some to understand.
If you want to become your best self faith must be in the equation.
Because faith is so integral to who I am and what I believe, I make time to maintain it. To me, it is such a joy to set aside time where I can nurture faith in my heart.
This can happen while I rest, take lunch, drive in the car, or prep food in the kitchen. It is simply a matter of turning my attention towards heavenly things.
As I turn my attention to heavenly things, I affirm that I believe in God, and believe He rewards those who earnestly seek after Him.
I call to mind things he has spoken to me and verses that have brought life.
John 11:40 (NET)
Then Jesus said, Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?
Mark 9:23 (NET)
Having this faith and belief in God gives me the assurance that everything is possible for one who believes.
Having faith makes me a better person thus helping me attain MY BEST-SELF.
9. I Became My Best-Self When I Gave Thanks.
Having a thankful heart is MUST if I want to be MY BEST-SELF.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV)
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Learning to give thanks for all things is a killer to the flesh.
Sometimes I start to bellyache bad enough it gives me a tummy ache, then I recognize myself going down a path towards bitterness.
Bitterness can creep in so fast that if you are not careful it can consume your whole being. Not only giving you a tummy ache but a heartache too.
Here is a verse we should not ignore and is often overlooked:
Proverbs 17:22 (KJV)
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine but a broken spirit drieth up the bones.
What I have learned this past year and will continue to do in the coming year, is to embrace thankfulness because then my heart overflows with happiness – even amidst life’s greatest challenges.
Read blog post on My Thankful Project
10. I Became My Best-Self When I Surrounded Myself With Great People.
If you are finding yourself surrounded by "Nasty Nancys" or a "Snotty Susans", then you may need to re-haul your circle of friends.
Being around people who lift you up instead of tearing you down is a good goal to work towards.
And if you can’t relieve yourself of a Nasty Nancy, then acknowledge who she is and limit your exposure.
Key people are those people who you can learn great things from. You've met these kinds of people, right?
They are inspirational, motivational trend-setters who are going places in life.
They aren’t stuck at roadblocks, they don’t have their heads in the sand and they don’t live in the past.
But rather are pressing forward with goals, with a mission and a purpose.
These are the kinds of people I want to hang around, and these are the kinds of people that God can use.
Connecting with others of like-minded faith has it’s rewards for sure and pursuing a path that leads to them is of utmost priority.
I feel fortunate to have a huge circle of Christian friends here in New York and in Michigan, and all over the world in fact.
Our church fellowship is international, and my heart strings stretch from one continent to another.
Key people are important to have in the life and we need to stay connected to them!
Read blog post on the Key People in Your Life
11. I Became My Best-Self When I Used My "Most Powerful Tool".
There is so much power in prayer! I wish I could exclaim this from the mountain tops here in Western New York!
Matthew 21:22 (NASB)
Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you.
Such a simple verse but so impactful to one who believes.
Mark 11:24 (NASB)
Therefore, I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted to you.
Prayer is a spiritual weapon we can use in any situation, and if more people realized the supernatural strength afforded to them when they pray – everyone would be exclaiming this from the mountaintops!
The power to becoming our best-self in any situation lies in the quality and consistency of our prayer life.
James 1:5 (TLB)
The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
Prayer is the key to becoming MY BEST-SELF! I can't do anything apart from the grace of God!
Let's Pray Together
Father,
Thank You for putting this desire to become a better person into my heart! I pray Your spirit will continue to quicken me and bring life as I strive to walk in faith. Help me to forgive myself and others, grow and mature, give to others, and pray more fervently!
May You go before me all my days and give me strength and grace to do good things for the glory of Your name. Let Your love shine through me in all I say and do!
Help me accept the way You created me, and help me learn the importance of giving thanks for the gifts and abilities You've bestowed upon me. May I use my talents for Your glory and bear much fruit for Your kingdom.
In Your precious name, Amen.
Blessings ~
My Sun & Shade Ministries
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