The prudent understand where they are going, but fools deceive themselves. Proverbs 14:8 (NLT)

One of the greatest characteristics that you can have for determining where you go in life, is the ability to assess yourself. Paul says it this way…

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. Romans 12:3 (ESV)

God is painting a picture on the canvas of your life. The question is, how do you know what shape your canvas is in, if you don’t assess yourself in some way?

How well are you being a friend to those around you?
Are the things you are trying so hard to gain truly healthy for you?
Are you growing, at a stalemate, or going backwards?
Do you see how far you have come or are you too busy looking at the hear and now? What about the future?

There are so many areas where we can self-assess….
Through our motives…
Our tempers…
Our goals…
…and our values.

The ability to “judge ourselves soberly” is the ability to change the direction of our lives for the better. To have an honest assessment of our strengths…and our weaknesses.

It’s the chance to realize that we are at fault and we can ask forgiveness.
The power to recognize that a habitual pattern of behavior that hurts us and others around us does not have to continue.
The hope that who we are, today, can shape a better us tomorrow.

How do you self-assess? Are you honest with yourself? Can you see the inconsistencies in your character?
Do you have a tendency to overstate your strengths or focus on your weaknesses?

Understanding who you are and why you are the way you are is a strong tool to understand what shape your canvas is in.
Because, when you understand that, God can work wonders within you.

Mark Love
Lead Pastor