Self-Improvement For the Christian (Part 1)

I love setting goals and working towards something. But have you ever set some sort of goal or resolution only for it to fall apart in a week or two? Often times we set goals that are focused on self-improvement. We enter these journeys of improving ourselves with a ton of positive energy. Yet, we stumble and don’t follow through when the novelty of it wears off.

Have you ever wondered why so many of us fail at self-improvement so frequently? What if the approach that we’re taking to self-improvement is the root of the problem?

Over the next 3 days, we’re going to take a look at self-improvement from a Christian perspective. We’ll be diving into the following:

1. Self-improvement is very self-focused in nature. Why does this hinder us and what are the underlying issues of dissatisfaction?

2. The difference between secular self-improvement and Christian self-improvement.

3. Is your self-improvement producing love and service towards others or yourself?

Today, let’s dive into #1.

Growing up, I loved playing sports. My parents will tell you it was borderline an obsession. I played basketball in the front driveway, and baseball or football in the backyard. I played on numerous school and rec sports teams. But over the years through gaining more responsibility in life, there was a distinct decline in the hours of activity I would do.

I’m not as athletic as I used to be. I’ve noticed my energy levels are lower than they should be. I want to shed some pounds and get back into shape.

So, I’ve been hitting the gym more recently. It’s been extremely humbling, but has been rewarding. It’s a challenge that I’ve dived into. And I absolutely love it.

We all have different areas of our life that we want to improve. We make plans every January to change our lives and be our best selves. Right around springtime we want to get back into working out to shape our summer body. A lot of us want to be constantly improving in some way.

However, when we think about self-improvement, its important to understand the potential pitfalls of crafting a vision centered solely around improving our personal lives.

Why do our plans of self-improvement fail so often?

For many of us, our plans are based around our own wants and needs. Whether it’s losing weight, reading more books, or even starting a new hobby, these plans tend to revolve around us and our desires. The goals we set are usually about achieving some sort of personal satisfaction or reducing some sort of discomfort.

They don’t address the core issues that leave us feeling dissatisfied and wanting self-improvement in the first place. Our plans for self-improvement tend to be concerned with the symptoms of dissatisfaction rather than the root of our problems in the first place.

Don’t get me wrong, self-improvement is a noble thing to strive after. However, as Christians it become crucial that we shift our focus in the pursuit of self-improvement. In its truest form, self-improvement should lead us to deepen our relationship with Jesus. They should be less about serving our own needs and more about serving Jesus. It is through this that we start to learn more about the underlying issues of unsatisfaction within us.

There’s a difference between self-improvement and spiritual growth. Self-improvement revolves around personal benefit. It can take the form of getting in shape, learning more, or even generating a more positive mindset. However, self-improvement stops when we are satisfied with the outcome.

Spiritual growth moves beyond that boundary of comfort that self-improvement stops at. It’s not about how good we feel about ourselves or the personal milestones we want to reach. Instead, it’s about how we can grow in relationship with Jesus and align our lives with what He taught. In pursuit of spiritual growth, we must ask ourselves, “How do my actions reflect His love and compassion?” and “How can I be used to show His grace?”

For the Christian, this pursuit of self-improvement then becomes a journey of spiritual growth. The goals we set are no longer just about our own wants and needs. They become a step towards developing a deeper connection with Jesus. They become about reflecting His love in what we do.

They become less about personal gain and more about how we can serve others by showing His grace. This shift in our perspective is crucial in how we pursue self-improvement.

So back to me wanting to lose weight.

A worldly view of self-improvement is “I want to lose weight so I look good when I go down to the lake for the 4th of July.”

Or maybe it’s “Man I want to get back into shape like I was in high school. I want to be an athlete like I used to be.”

Both of those frames of mind are full of what’s in it for “I, me, and my”. Reframing the purpose for losing weight from a Christian perspective can look like this:

“My body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, and so by taking care of my body through fixing my diet and exercise, I am honoring God’s gift.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

“If I get into shape, I am healthier. I will have more energy and stamina so that I can love and serve those around me better.”

The goal then for me not becomes just about losing weight or improving my physical health. It’s about taking care of the body God has given me so that I can serve Him and others better.

This shift in perspective changes weight loss for me from a self-focused goal to a journey where I want to improve in serving and loving others by disciplining myself.

Part 2 on the topic of self-improvement comes out tomorrow.

Enjoy today’s day of rest!

To God be the glory.

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For many churches “self-care” has been the driver to discipleship instead of the Gospel. Here’s an excellent article on balancing self-care and mutual care for the Christian:

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I pray that your day is full of reminders of God’s love and faithfulness. May you faithfully build your life on Christ.

“But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in my weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” - 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

To God be the glory,

Coach T