Success: What they don't teach you

Success: what they don't teach you

      Hello! This post contains an Amazon affiliate link. I may earn a small fee if you click the link and take action.    
      One of my strengths is called Input. I crave to learn as much as possible about things I’m interested in. So, I read and research voraciously on those subjects. I write down key points. Then what I learn I have to teach/tell my husband about it first (thanks Ethan for the rapt attention!). And then I always end up helping/educating/ telling others about this knowledge because what I put in has to come out. I want to help others with this knowledge grow so they can experience the abundant life God has planned for them! Hence why I blog, am a Certified Health Education Specialist, was a client advocate, an unofficial counselor, an unofficial librarian, researcher, you get the picture.
        The book I’m currently reading is called Integrity: The courage to meet the demands of reality. How six essential qualities determine your success in business. By Dr. Henry Cloud. This is an affiliate link. I may earn a small fee if you click the link.(You may have heard of the popular book Boundaries that he wrote.) I’m reading this book because I want to learn as much as I can about business, marketing, e- commerce, etc. This is a very good book and I highly recommend it. I’m learning so much about integrity and my character. This book is a must read to achieve success in every aspect of your life. This isn’t just for business owners or employees.
           I started reading this book first, because I like Dr. Cloud, who’s a Christian Psychologist, second, I want to know more about succeeding in business. And third I am so tired of reading, watching webinars, and reading posts and blogs from these “business experts” on the web that all have the same tired advice! I wanted to read from a source that I know of and have confidence in.
         The “business experts” advice is missing the point about being successful. Success comes from having certain character traits. These traits are learned from childhood, experience, the Bible, learning from mistakes, good role models and other factors. This is not taught in school. Some of these traits are trustworthy, honest, being focused, empathetic, gaining knowledge and humbleness. Basically, all of the fruits of the spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23).
        The meaning of success is a favorable outcome, doing what was desired or attempted; an attainment of wealth or fame or position (Oxford American Dictionary). Everyone wants to be successful at something(s) in their life. Being successful to some doesn’t always mean having money! I want to be a successful parent and raise godly children of good character. A pastor’s success may be in how many people he can help know Christ. A successful wife wants to be pleasing, loving, patient and kind to her husband.
        God wants you to prosper at life. How he wants you to prosper is far from what is falsely taught of prosperity.  Prosper means to be successful; to thrive (Oxford American Dictionary). When I looked up the word prosper in a topical Bible search there were many meanings: success, thrive, victorious, triumph, completeness, soundness, to advance, to bless! Aren’t those same breath taking definitions? I want my life to be all of those, what about you?
           How can you be prosperous in life? By trusting Jesus as Lord and savior over your life, fully trusting and obeying God in all things and reading and meditating on the Bible, using the wisdom it has and living in the Spirit. There are countless scriptures about how to be prosperous:
    Oh, the joys of those who do not
    follow the advice of the wicked,
    or stand around with sinners,
    or join in with mockers.
 But they delight in the law of the Lord,
    meditating on it day and night. 
They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
    bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
    and they prosper in all they do. Psalm 1:1-3 (NLT)

Come, my children, and listen to me,
    and I will teach you to fear the Lord.
Does anyone want to live a life
    that is long and prosperous?
 Then keep your tongue from speaking evil
    and your lips from telling lies!
 Turn away from evil and do good.
    Search for peace, and work to maintain it. Psalm 34:11-14 (NLT)
     These are just a couple of scriptures on being prosperous and successful!
     I just gave you the secret to success!! Just kidding, it’s really no secret. God has given us this knowledge in the Bible. I pray for everyone to realize and believe how much God loves us and wants us to live a prosperous life to be a blessing to Him and others. What do you want to be successful in? Leave a comment, I love to hear from you!
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