Self Improvement Books

April 11th, 2010 by Dr. Pauline

Self improvement books can probably be found for just about any area of life where we find ourselves needing some expertise, or professional guidance. For many of us the bible is at the top of the list of self improvement books; it is the ultimate guide for self improvement. The areas of improvement are wide and varied. Since we are a many faceted being; spiritual, mental, and social, there may be a need for improvement in any or all of these. Briefly, we may find ourselves attacked on every hand. In our mental realm for instance; we could say we are vulnerable to many things from A to Z or, from Alzheimer’s to Zenophobia (xenophobia).

Self improvement books such as the bible teaches that the spiritual part of us is actually the control center of our being—if we allow it to have free course. It determines whether we do constructive things if led by the Holy Spirit, or destructive things if led by an evil spirit. On the other hand if we allow the physical body to control, we will find ourselves being tossed about as the bible states, or to and fro by every wind of doctrine. In laymen’s language we will find ourselves believing everything anyone says. One of the keys to improving one’s self is discipline, that is, nobody else can do it for us, we have to do it ourselves. In other words we have to take charge of our lives and discipline ourselves.

Self improvement books teach that change comes in our lives when we change our mind set. The bible teaches that, “As a man thinks so is he,” Some of us have been devastated by the negative prophecy that has been spoken over our lives ever since we were able to understand, “You ain’t never gonna be nothin,’ you jest like yore ole no good daddy.” That type of prophecy will eventually be fulfilled unless you begin to apply the wisdom found in selected self improvement books. Knowing that you are who God says you are is a good place to start living an overcoming life. God says he made the earth and all that dwell in it. When he finished with his creation process he stepped back and surveyed it, then said, “That’s good.” In that case we are good and have possibilities to do amazing things in the world. It is not impossible to turn things around and become an over-comer.

Self improvement books can lead us to break the cycle of just aimlessly walking through the earth. Eventually, this kind of existence results in turning us into thoughtless, uninspired creatures living to perform only the most basic functions; eating, sleeping, and making occasional conjugal stops along the way. Life has much more to offer us than just barely getting by living on the outer fringes never quite making a difference. The bible encourages us that, “We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.” Many times we toss aside promises such as this rationalizing that it doesn’t make sense; how can he say I can do all things if I do it in his strength. Try it and see if you can really do all things through Christ. Starting now take the holiest of all self improvement books, and find all the promises he makes to you and me. Now, I must warn you there is a condition required to make this and his other promises come to pass. I can hear you say, “I knew there was a ‘catch’ to this.” Not so fast, it is quite simple. He says all you have to do is obey him. This is the great promise to get a hold of. If you find that you have a problem with obedience just ask him to give it to you. He promises something else, and it is this, “You can have anything you say when you pray.” And anything means anything.