At the very core of personal development lies the word “excellence”. The struggle to develop and improve your life is so that you can be excellent at making choices, so you can excel in career, in relationships, and life in general, right?
God and indeed the Bible are in support of you developing yourself.
Unfortunately, some Bible verses on personal development are not as direct as ABC. However, they are still applicable. With that in mind, let’s dive right in.
Psalms 1:1 (NIV)
Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers.
One key aspect you must be particular about while in the constant self development phase is your association. You can’t want to be an eagle, yet continually hang out with an ostrich. They may have some similar components— like the fact they are both relatively big birds— but character is the real deal.
For the fact that you and the next girl down the block both look like Forbes magazine models doesn’t automatically mean you must be friends. Does her character and values align with yours?
A friend of mine once said “pick your friends like you are picking local rice.” Lol. The truth in that. I apologise if you are not in Nigeria or not a Nigerian and can’t relate, but hopefully, you get the over all idea.
If you must grow, develop and excel, then you must intentionally and carefully pick your association.
Romans 12:2 (MSG)
“…Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out….”
Other translations like the Amplified talks about “renewing your mind”. However, I loved how The Message Bible says not to “… become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking….”
It is no news that culture and tradition has a way of keeping you limited. If you don’t challenge— not defile— those ways of thinking, you’d be staying down for a long time. Forever, perhaps.
When you (constantly) renew your mind and embrace personal development, you’d soon realize you aren’t meant to merely fit in. There’s so much you can do and achieve when you’re not actually trying to fit in, but rather stand out. What’s personal development when your mind isn’t getting transformed?
1 Timothy 4:12 (MSG)
And don’t let anyone put you down because you’re young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity.
Have you ever been put down or shut up almost rudely because you’re young and trying to make a contribution? Well, whether you’ve been put down because you’re young or not, the emphasis is on character and personal development.
Develop yourself till your life becomes an example and a reference point to others. Develop yourself till you are never caught speaking careless words. Develop yourself— character wise— till the results are undeniable for all to see. Develop yourself to a point that even when you are put down, it doesn’t rock your perfect little boat and make you lose self-control— or as a former teacher liked to put it, “forget your home training.” (Haha!)
James 1:2-4 (AMP)
Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.
No one likes hard times, but they happen anyway. Best to develop tenacity to survive such times. When you have James 1:2-4 in mind, it’d be easier to smile despite opposition.
Personal development extends to your attitude in trials. A developed mind doesn’t mean no— or lesser— troubles; it means building a strong mental will. Patience isn’t just your ability to wait; it’s your attitude while you wait. This is just one of the many benefits of personal development.
Isaiah 60:1 (CEB)
Arise! Shine! Your light has come; the LORD ’s glory has shone upon you.
The first command there is to ‘Arise!’ If you must shine, then you must arise. If you must blossom, then you must first develop.
Think of it this way; there you are, having fallen and on the ground. It’s probably sticky and hard to get up. It’s also bound to be a difficult process, but you know deep within that if indeed you want to excel at anything, then you most definitely must put in the work. You have to arise.
So, darling, Arise! Shine!
Scripture covers different aspects of self improvement. You’re not just encouraged to focus on your spiritual life alone, but indeed all areas.
I hope this gives you the necessary push you need to begin putting in the work for your personal development.
If you enjoyed reading this, do share it with your friends and family as well.
Sending love and light your way,
Zoey.
Zoey 
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