Pay attention to what you're leaking


Realize that your character qualities leak out into the lives of the people around you -- for better or for worse. Strive to leak less sin and selfishness that stinks and leak more holiness instead. Know that God wants you to be visibly identified with Jesus in a way that brings Him glory, pouring out hope into the lives of people with whom you interact. Be faithful to God's call to represent Jesus. Be available for God to use you in any situation, and depend on the Holy Spirit to help you live out your faith with integrity. Study Jesus' life to imitate how He interacts with people. Invite God to refine every part of your character, holding nothing back from His work in your life.

Embrace reality

Avoid fantasies that deceive you and accept reality as it is -- not as you would like it to be. Be committed to the truth, even when it hurts. Invite Jesus to shine His light over the dark places in your life -- morally, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually -- and expose what you need to deal with so you can grow into the person He wants you to become. Let truth guide your actions. Speak the truth. Encourage others to face the truth. Accept responsibility and evaluate your own shortcomings. Seek constructive feedback from others and embrace consequences. Acknowledge and deal with negative emotions instead of swallowing them. Make the hard and better call in situations early. Grieve losses and hurts rather than hiding from them. Don't blame others to cover for your mistakes. Don't seek affirmation to compensate for insecurity. Speak up with others, to them, and for them when the Holy Spirit leads you to do so. Pray for the ability to seek life as it really is and to trust God for how it will be.


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