Steps to Becoming the Man/Woman God made us to be...

"Mostly, every person wants to be the best version of themselves they can be." We have an innate desire to improve, so why do so many people settle for being just okay? Why do we assume we can't improve, or that we are tapped out? Over these next few blogs, we will discuss some practical steps everyone can take to get out of the "okay" rut. These are steps you can take, starting today. I hope that after this series you are making strides toward being the man/woman God made you to be. Just like Pearl Jam's song a few decades ago, "A Better Man".

STEP 1: Identify the LIES

Growing up my grandfather used to tell us that if you sprinkled salt on a squirrel's tail you could catch it. Or have you ever been Snipe hunting? :) You know, they are both not true. I have tried! If you are like me, you believe certain things about yourself that just are not true. As I grew up, I learned to bury truth in grandeur, by being egregious with success or portrayed as something other than the truth, in order to gain influence, material gains, etc. That was one lie that I believed.

What have you believed and unknowingly accepted? It could be that you are incapable of losing wight, you aren't smart enough, you will never find a significant other, or you cannot be minister of the gospel. Like Moses, Jonah, and many more from the Bible, God's plan or blueprint to becoming the best version of yourself is not available, need access code, etc.

Whatever the lie is, you don't have to keep believing it. The problem is that we don't always seem to know when we are believing a lie. A lot of times, it is something that we have just accepted subconsciously. How do we start identifying these lies and calling them what they are? How do we start unmasking the deep rooted lies that we have accepted as truth?

First, we have to allow God to identify the lies from truth: To "capture rebellious thought." We need to ask God to give us insight or clarity, into what He says is true. Ask him who He created you to be. Ask for discernment, to be filled with the Holy Spirit to guide you through this process, rebuke Satan, and lastly, ask your friends and family for their view of you. Flesh out the very things you have always believed and confirm whether or not they are true.

Second, replace the lies with truth. This is what it means to "teach your thoughts to obey Christ." Confirm what is true. Speak the truth out loud. Set up ways to be affirmed in truth and to be accountable to others when they see you not walking in truth. It could mean seeing a counselor. It could mean writing down lies you have believed, then lining them up against scripture.

Third, create opportunities to watch the truth play out in front of you. Maybe it is finding ways to measure your success. Maybe it is hitting the gym and watching the pounds drop off. Maybe it is getting involved with a singles group, Sunday school class, or other organization to assist others. Whatever it is, experiencing the joy of watching the lie die, while seeing truth manifested through faith growing your confidence and need to share with others.

Today is the day you stop believing the lies and start experiencing the Truth. Don't be just "okay", be a better man/woman.

1. Allow God to separate the lies you have believes from His truth.

2. Replace lies with the truth. Write down the lies, then check them against what Scripture says.

3. Create opportunities to watch the truth play out, so you can share your success with others.

2 Corinthians 10:5 - "Casting down the imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."

Psalms 86:11 - "Teach me thy way, O Lord, and I will walk in thy truth: knit mine heart to the, that I may fear the Name."

John 8:44 - "You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do: he has been a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. We he speaks a lie, then he speaks of his own: for he is the father of lies."