Living in Increase (Part 10) - Increase in AwarenessSample

Evaluate and Test Yourself

Putting off our old selves isn’t something we do just once. We do this daily, maybe even hourly. To “put off our old selves,” we need to know what parts of us are “corrupt.” Yesterday, we discovered signs that we lack self-awareness. Today, we will learn some ways to become more self-aware.

• Evaluate your thoughts, feelings, and actions
• Quit being overprotective of yourself and be more willing to be vulnerable
• Meditate (on God’s word about who you were made to be)
• Practice biblical mindfulness
• Ask for honest feedback from trusted people (e.g., your boss, parent, friend, partner, co-worker, etc.)
• Take time every day to check in with your feelings
• Start a journal for self-discovery that includes tracking negative and positive emotion triggers
• Socialize more to help improve empathy and your overall people skills
• Try to see yourself from the point of view of others

I won’t lie to you–this is hard, and it can be exhausting. You are basically analyzing everything you say and do. You may be awake at night thinking about a conversation with someone earlier that day, going, “Hmm…maybe I need to apologize to them.” And there is nothing wrong with apologizing–it’s humbling!

Still, there are moments I wish I could go back and do differently, but God forgave me before I made the mistakes, so I move forward knowing I’ve learned from it, and I do my best never to make the same mistake. Unfortunately, sometimes, I do, and I ask for forgiveness again. We mustn’t beat ourselves up over these mistakes, though. Just remember to do better next time and don’t live in regret.

Although doing the abovementioned things can be exhausting, it is well worth the effort. It is important to remember these things while going through this journey to self-awareness: You are chosen by God (1 Peter 2:9), you are born again (1 Peter 1:23), and you are God’s workmanship (Ephesians 2:10)!

Monica Barnes

Action Step: Pick one way to evaluate your self-awareness and put it into practice today.