By: Rev. David Buss, MS., MA.
There is no doubt stumbling blocks and difficult situations can be found around every corner. For example, social media, school, restaurants, shopping, walking in public, family functions or even driving on the road. Presenting perfect opportunities for discouragement, self-doubt, leaving us questioning how to really become that better version of ourselves.
So, before we dig into bettering ourselves. Lets explore what “better version of ourself” means and how do we obtain it. I often ask myself this very question regarding my own walk. Am I, being the best version of myself or am I fearful of stumbling. With that being said, remember, God does not want to us to operate in a spirit of fear, as edified in 2 Timothy 1:7, “God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of sound mind”. Sounds like a great start to becoming that better version of ourselves? It all starts by activating your faith, remembering God loves you without wavering, even when we get knocked down.
Exploring that further, each day it can feel like we’re constantly surrounded by negativity, and it seems like discouragements are waiting on the sidelines for us to have our guard down. But, through our faith, we’re overcomer’s, and the negativity only has power if we feed it. 1 Timothy 6:12 says, “keep fighting the good fight of faith”, and Romans 8:18 says, “I consider the our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be reveled to us through our relationship with God”.
So, we have a choice. Continue to push towards the prize, remembering, God has given each of us a purpose while here on earth. He gave each of us spirit led gifts to use to our fullest potential and betterment. In fact, God want’s us to better, which doesn’t just benefit you, it creates goodness around you, planting good fruit bearing seeds in rich fertile soil.
Examining that even deeper, Ephesians 2:10 reminds us “we are God’s masterpiece, he has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago”. Please take a moment and reflect on the word “masterpiece”. That’s right, each of us are his masterpiece!
Don’t forget, we were never promised change would easy! But, the closer you get to God, the better you’re going to understand yourself, and when your discouraged, pause, take a deep breath, and take in all the beauty around you. The presence of God is all around you, he’s in a gentle breeze, that sunrise or sunset, a smiling child, a random act of kindness and throughout all of his creations great and small.
Lets examine some very inspirational scripture reminders to mediate on while on our betterment journey. Remember, the race is a marathon, not a sprint, it will take courage and endurance to finish.
Phillipians 4:13, I can do all things through him (Jesus), who gives me strength.
Jeremiah 33:3, call to me “God” and I will answer you, and tell you great and mighty things.
Proverbs 16:24, gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
2 Corinthians 5:7, walk by faith, not by sight.
In closing and as a kind reminder, God is everywhere, he’s walking along side of us on our journey to be that person that people want to emulate. Why, because God is you’re creator and the more you understand the creator, the more you understand yourself, because we are all his creation.
Let’s pray…
Father, thank you for loving me and the good work you do in me. Thank you for leading me through you’re spirit. Giving me the grace right now not to look back, be discouraged or feeling defeated anymore. Help me, guide me, filling my cup full with your love, giving me strength to become that better version of myself, so, I can go out and be shining to others, just as you do for me.
Amen.
Reverend David Buss is an ordained minister and non-licensed pastoral counselor, who has has a Chaplains heart for helping those along life’s journey.
He sees clients at Oklahoma Christian Counseling in McAlester.
