Become Your Best Self #devotional by B J Bassett

 

Become Your Best Self

Use your heads as you live and work among outsiders. Don’t miss a trick. Make the most of every opportunity. Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out. Colossians 4:5-6 MSG

Recently, I’ve heard the term: Become your best self. I’m not sure what it means. Is it a slogan for self-help books or a cult movement?

We have become a Me Society where everything revolves around us—constant exercising, dieting, juice cleansing—looking for a quick-fix solution for happiness. The things we find painful, overwhelming, or unbearable must be repressed. The constant movement seems to be the norm, never stopping to reflect or spend time in the presence of our Lord. Yet, in our society, with all these so-called remedies available, depression is on the rise.

I’ve read some self-help books and consider myself a positive thinker. Yet, as believers, we need to be aware of anything that may not be based on God’s Word. So when in doubt, go to the source. The Bible is full of everything we need to be our best selves. Maybe the way to become our best selves is to bring out the best in others.

Father, sometimes it’s hard to weed out what is of You and what is a cult. Help me be discerning, I pray. Thank You for Your Word, which teaches me how to live. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Reprinted from

The King’s Daughters

By BJ Bassett

 

B. J. Bassett encourages others as an author, teacher and speaker. Her books include a contemporary novel, Gillian’s Heart; a historical novel Lily; Sweet Charity; A Touch of Grace—The G.R.A.C.E. Ministries Story; and coauthor of a children’s devotional My Time with God, Focus on the Family, Heritage Builders, with over 55,000 copies sold.

 

As a contributing writer, publications consist of Writer’s Handbook 2000, The Writer, and The Focus on the Family Guide to Growing a Healthy Home, Wolgemuth& Hyatt, Publishers, Inc.—consistently on Bookstore Journal’s Best-selling Christian Books List from November 1990 - February 1991, and voted the 10 Best Books for 1990 by Today’s Christian Woman.

 

Magazines, devotional booklets, curriculum and newspaper publishers include Focus on the Family, Woman’s World, The Quiet Hour, Pathways to God, Devotions, Harcourt Brace, WordAction, Gospel Publishing and Times Standard (newspaper).

 

She teaches writing workshops at Umpqua Community College, Roseburg, OR and at writer’s conferences. As a speaker for Stonecroft Ministries, she tells her story of rejection and acceptance, not only in life, but as a writer as well. She also offers book talks, including discussion questions and shares the journey -- from the seed of an idea to a published book.

 

She enjoys reading, jigsaw puzzles, knitting, munching warm scones oozing with butter and strawberry jam and sipping earl grey tea.