We are going to start with ourselves—OUR BEGINNING! It’s not
always easy to motivate or inspire others. However, you are the only one that
can change you! Look, we all have things we wish we would have done differently…
The past is the past—Use your mistakes don’t let them go to waste—GROW FROM
THEM! I encourage you to write down things you have went through that you can
grow from. Use them as a start to building a better you! You see them as
faults, things you never want to do again. Use them as guidelines. Everyone will
have different guidelines!
Another idea- make a list of “stepping stones”. These
stepping stones are going to be daily motivation to build character. Set
yourself up to succeed! This will allow you to prove to yourself you really
want to make a positive change in who you are, not just say it. It will be
right there for you to see EVERY DAY. All you have to do is take the first
step! No excuses! Leave you mark everywhere you go! I want people to say, “Wow!
She is an amazing person!” I want to be that person that walks into a room with
my head held high and positivity just pouring through me.. not because I feel
better than anyone.. because I bring a positive energy to every situation.. I
want people to look at me and say, “If she can stay positive so can I!” Come on
ladies, let’s be that positive change we are all looking for!
Through this post I want you to feel the personal growth and
feel that new beginning! I think a great addition to the beginning of this new
journey is building character. Is there anything more threatening than a
positive and powerful woman?
What is a woman of character? (Please keep in mind this is
my own personal views. There is no right and wrong.)
-A woman of character lives a life of purpose!
*If I asked everyone who has ever
met you to describe you in one brief sentence, overall, would I get positive or
negative feedback?
How are lives are summarized are based off of the choices we
make in every day of our life.
We all get distracted by all the cares and responsibilities
of life.. Laundry piles up. Bills need paid. The kids get sick, etc. With all
this to do we find ourselves sidetracked from what should be our primary
purpose: pleasing God. It’s easy to say you’re pleasing or serving God,
however, saying it and doing it are two different things.
-A woman of character values mentors!
In Titus 2:3-5 we read:“Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.”
So, in our day it’s easy to become isolated and somewhat withdrawn.
Women do not get together in small groups on a regular basis as they did in the
past. Maybe your mother/daughter relationship isn’t what it needed to be. A
mother should be a valued mentor. There are many reasons why mothers fall
short. We all know it’s a struggle. If this be the case, maybe you are longing
for a woman to mentor you and advice you regarding how to handle your many
roles and responsibilities. If so, ask God to send you someone wise and supportive!
Or you may be in that position to fill that role for someone else! Keep your
eyes open for a young woman to befriend and support her. Maybe encourage her to
join our group discussions. She may need you just as much as you need her. Pray
that God will lead you to someone and also pray that you will have the courage
to be her light at the end of the tunnel. Bring her to a positive place!
-A woman of character embraces humility!
“Do nothing out
of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better
than yourself.” Philippians 2:3
*Those who are
slaves to pride, do anything to maintain the illusion that they are more
capable, more worthy and more significant than others. Pride can cause people
to do a number of horrible things to those they think are of less stature.
The cure for pride is cultivating humility. Humility is
being honest about who you REALLY are before God. Humility is recognizing who
God is. God is King of all kings and Lord of all lords.
As we read in Philippians 2:1-13…
“If you have any encouragement from being united with
Christ, if any comfort form his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any
tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded,
having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. So nothing out of
selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than
yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to
the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ
Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God
something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of
servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is
above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven
and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is
Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Therefore, my dear friends, as you have
always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue
to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in
you to will and act according to his good purpose.”
-Last but not least, a woman of character encourages!
“Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up,
just as in fact you are doing” 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Ask yourself, what would others think if they listened to
your conversations, would that be a positive or negative influence? Would they
hear you degrading others physical features or would they hear that you
consider others beautiful as they are in God’s eyes? Do your words build up or
tear down? Do your words push people away from you or draw then into your
conversations? Most important, do your conversations draw others to God?
This is a change I am definitely committing to! Starting
with making more positive compliments! Seeing the world in the way God views the
world—finding something beautiful in everything! It’s already changed my every
day attitude!
Here are my personal stepping stones: (I know there are
several but I’m serious about this… Feel free to use some of these for
yourself.) I also included a piece of related scripture with each of my
stepping stones..
1.
Attitude
“But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God
my Savior; my God will hear me.” –Micah 7:7
2.
Character
“What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to
love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” –Micah 6:8
3.
Commitment
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn.” –Psalm 37:5-6
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn.” –Psalm 37:5-6
4.
Confidence
“I am still confident of this: I will see
the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” –Psalm 27:13
5.
Consequences
“Do what is right and good in the Lord’s
sight, so that it may go well with you.” –Deuteronomy 6:18
6.
Courage
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid
or terrified. . . for the Lord your God goes with you.” –Deuteronomy 31:6
7.
Honesty
“An honest answer is like a kiss on the
lips.” –Proverbs 24:26
8.
Hope
“Be strong and take heart, all you who hope
in the Lord.” –Psalm 31:24
9.
Humility
“Clothe yourselves with compassion,
kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” –Colossians 3:12
10.
Integrity
“May integrity and uprightness protect me, because
my hope is in you.” –Psalm 25:21
11.
Kindness
“Blessed is he who is kind to the needy.” –Proverbs
14:21
12.
Love
“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,
peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and
self-control. –Galatians 5:22-23
13.
Patience
“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned
to me and heard my cry.” –Psalm 40:1
14.
Strength
“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” –Nehemiah
8:10
*Hope everyone enjoyed this post… discussion
questions coming soon! See Facebook Discussion Group…
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