This Is The Best Version of YOU – Your “Best Self”

Being the “best version of you” or your “best self” is something I think we all desire to some degree, even if we aren’t actively seeking that out. The mystery lies in what is that “best version” of you? How do you consistently operate from that “best self” place?

Ironically, in the midst of writing this blog I got this in the mail:

According to this advertisement, the best version of you is just a Botox shot away – or maybe forty shots! Or perhaps micro-needling or a derma peel away? A quick fix available to you if you are willing to pay!

Despite what advertisers and the world in general would lead you to believe, the best version of you has absolutely nothing to do with your physical appearance. Now I’m not advocating that you throw in the towel and ignore the way you look. After all, as a believer, you are His ambassador. Caring about the way you present yourself to the world is a way of honoring the unique and wonderful human being He created you to be. Where the line is between stewarding your appearance and investing in your appearance for the wrong reasons is something you will have to sort out for yourself.

Think About It This Way

Recently I purchased a new gadget. Once out of the package, I was at a loss as to how it worked or the best way to utilize it. I could have fumbled around and perhaps eventually figured it out. However, a quick read of the owner’s guide provided by the company that manufactured it was incredibly helpful. It even offered a few suggestions that certainly would have evaded me had I not taken the time to read the guide. Because they designed and produced the gadget, they were in the best position to know how their equipment worked best.

The same holds true for you! It makes sense to consult the One who made you if you want to know how to arrive at the “best you” and thus get optimal results!

Even better, despite how you may feel, you are a masterpiece; you are God’s perfect design! Now to follow the Master’s guide!

1. Live Loved

I frequently refer to my grown children and their families as my treasures! They are incredibly valuable to me.

God feels that same way about you too, except that He loves and values you even more!

God is love and the source of love and He chooses to lavish that love on YOU, His beloved masterpiece! He loves you so much that He was willing to sacrifice His beloved Son in order to cover our sin so that He could enjoy a relationship with you and I. That’s some deep love!

God is love. I john 4: 8b (NCV)

This is real love—not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. I John 4:10 (NLT)

God is the source of love. As I John 4:7 says…love comes from God. (NLT)

When you receive God’s love and allow it to saturate your life, it’s life-changing. When you are living from a place of being fully loved, you are at your very best!

There are plenty of situations, circumstances, and messages out there that would tell you otherwise – that you have to earn love or you aren’t measuring up. But perhaps what rings loudest is the way you speak to yourself. The thoughts and beliefs that spin in your head that tell you that you aren’t worthy of love. That you aren’t the same. I beg you to choose to see yourself the way God does because when you do, the best version of you follows.

That’s one of the many reasons why spending time in God’s presence daily is time well spent! It’s a chance to reconnect to His deep love for you!

2. Depend on Him

According to God’s guide, the Bible, I’m at my best when I’m weak. Now that’s pretty counter to the way our culture thinks! Today’s culture encourages you to be strong; take matters into your own hands and make it happen!

I don’t know about you, but that plays right into my yearning to appear strong, capable, and self-sufficient. However, God says that when I’m weak, He is strong!

If I have to choose between me and God to do the heavy lifting, hands down the wise choice is letting Him do the heavy lifting! After all, He is the All-Powerful One!

He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Isaiah 40:29 (NLT)

But His answer was: “My grace is all you need, for My power is greatest when you are weak.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT)

3. Follow His Ways

Yes, do what He tells you to do. This is not meant to be legalistic – hear my heart for you! He knows you best. He knows what you were meant to be and do. Following His instructions is no different from reading my gadget guide and doing what it says!

If you want to know how to be the best version of you, dive into Scripture and follow the instructions there! I know that encompasses quite a bit. I won’t elaborate here, except to say that taking your thoughts captive (2 Cor. 10:5) is a fantastic place to begin as your thoughts play a significant role in how you show up. That said, I encourage you to dive in to the Bible and explore its pages.

The bonus to walking in His ways with His Spirit: You will have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) Now that sounds like an amazing version of YOU!

4. Focus on Others

I do want to highlight just one of those instructions: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matt 22:39 (NLT)

God’s heart for you is that you would focus on others and love them well. The perk to following that instruction is…

• • • When you love people you are, well, the best version of you!
    • Plus, love crowds out fear! (I John 4:18)

5. Know Your Purpose

Your purpose is to reflect Him in a way that brings Him glory. It’s not about you; it is about Him. You are at your best when you reflect Him.

God is incredibly multifaceted. As one of His children, you naturally reflect Him; an aspect of Him. And as you walk more intentionally in that aspect or who He created you to be, it glorifies Him.

In other words, you are at your best when you are being who He made you to be! Not sure who He made you to be? Learn more here.

6. Forgive

One surefire way to not operate at your best is to hang on to offenses and grudges. Unforgiveness leads to…

• • • Bitterness
    • Resentment
    • Negative thoughts
    • Victim mentality
    • And more!

Sadly, none of the above are becoming on anyone. God is a forgiving God! He wants you to be forgiving too.

7. Stewarding You Well

When you steward what God’s given you well, you are at your best! In light of that, it makes sense to be sure you know your personality, strengths, thinking preferences, etc. that all add up to you. And being aware of the abilities, Spiritual gifts, and talents He’s blessed you with.

No more comparing, wishing you were like so-and-so, but embracing the unique and wonderful person He made you to be and stewarding you well.

Final Thoughts

As I wrap up here, I want to address a couple notions that you might have. The first notion you might have, is thinking that your “best self” or the “best version of you” is a destination; a place you arrive and then life is good. In reality, this side of heaven becoming your “best self” is a never-ending process.

The second notion is that if you are determined and make the effort, arriving at your “best self” or the “best version of you” is possible. I won’t deny that it does require some effort on your part, but you can’t do it on your own. You must allow God to work in your life in a transformative way.

Perhaps the way Dietrich Bonhoeffer responded to the question “How can I be a better me?” sheds meaningful light on this topic. According to him, that’s asking the “Wrong question. There is no way for you to—there is no ‘how’. There is only a ‘who.”

May you come to know that “Who” more deeply!

If you glance back at the seven suggestions I’ve shared, God is at the heart of each one! Your own efforts to conjure up your best self will fall short of your true potential and your “best self.” The best version of you is the one that walks hand in hand with Him! And when your focus is on Him and doing life His way, you are at your best both personally and professionally!

What have you pursued in hopes of becoming your best self?