Wisdom for living: 10 truths you should know about yourself

By Tope Banso.
“God has given each of you some special abilities, be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God’s many kinds of blessings” (1Peter 4:10 The Living Bible).
In order to live a meaningful and impactful life, you need to know the following about yourself.
1. God created you in His image and very good (Genesis 1:28, 31). You’re God’s workmanship (Ephesians 2:10).God designed you to do good things but the fall of Adam corrupted the human race (Romans 5:12).
2. There is something good inside you. But because of the sinful nature inherited from Adam, not everything in you is good. You must be born again and after let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think (Romans 12:2).
3. You have the capacity to do what is good (James 4:17; 3 John 11). God has programmed you to do good but you also have the capacity to do evil depending on the spirit you yield yourself to at any time. Use the capacity to do good that is within you. Don’t be influenced to do evil.
4. You have the ability to learn to do what is good (Philippians 4:9). You can learn to do good. You can follow good examples. You can also learn to do evil or follow bad examples. The choice is yours (Joshua 24:15-16).
5. You’re unique. Nobody is like you and you’re like nobody (Psalm 139:14-18). Therefore, how you do things may sometimes be different from how another person does it. Don’t try to be another person though you can learn from others. Be yourself.
6. Avoid inferiority or superiority complex. Don’t be intimidated by what anyone has or does. Don’t be envious of anyone or look down on anybody. Don’t engage in comparison (2 Corinthians 10:12).
7. Don’t be under pressure to copy anyone, impress anybody or prove a point (Matthew 4:1-11).This is useless and needless. Don’t lose your uniqueness, individuality and focus.
8. Believe in God and believe in yourself. Let nobody write you off. Your Maker, God, believes in you. That’s why He created you and sent you to this earth for a purpose. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13). Don’t listen to demotivating words.
9. Put your troubles and failures in proper perspective. You’re not a failure because you failed. It doesn’t mean you’ve got nothing to offer. Extract the right lessons from your failure and move forward.
Paul had a positive perspective of his chains and sufferings; he saw God using his condition to advance the gospel. He didn’t complain (Philippians 1:12-20; 2 Corinthians 1:8-10, 11:21-33; Acts 20:22-24).
10.Recognize and accept those different from you. Being different doesn’t mean being superior in all respects. Somebody will always be better than you in certain things just as you’ll always be too in some ways. That is comparative advantage.
Give what is in you and also enjoy what is in others that they’re giving (Romans 12:4-8). The Bible tells us to love one another (1 Peter 1:22, 5:5; 1 John 3:11, 23, 4:11-12; 2 John 5).
God is committed to seeing you become all He has created you to be. Cooperate with Him.
 
●●Banso, an Abuja-based minister, can be reached at cedarministryng@gmail.com; on +2348155744752, +2348033113523; and WhatsApp No: +2349081295947