The Wake-Up Call
Have you ever had a moment that shook you to your core and made you question everything you thought you knew about yourself? That moment came for me one morning in 2018 when we discovered our teenage daughter had run away from home.
The fear and confusion of that morning are still vivid in my memory. Though she was found safely, the question that haunted me wasn’t just “Why did she leave?” but “What role did I play in her decision?”
The very next day, I attended my regular Bible study. As we discussed God’s grace in the book of Romans, something broke open inside me and through my tears, I realized a painful truth: while I had received abundant grace from God, I wasn’t extending that same grace to my family.
“It started the journey of asking: Who am I? And how am I showing up in the world for the people I say I love?”
Perhaps you’re nodding along, recognizing that disconnect between who you want to be and how you’re actually living. You’re not alone.
Understanding Self-Awareness
Self-awareness isn’t just another self-help buzzword or a path to endless navel-gazing. It’s the foundation of meaningful personal and spiritual growth. Simply put, self-awareness is the ability to see ourselves clearly and understand our motivations, thoughts, and behaviors in light of God’s truth.
Journal Prompt: When was the last time you truly examined your heart’s motivations? What emerged from that reflection?
5 Red Flags You’re Lacking Self-Awareness
If you’re wondering whether you might be disconnected from yourself, here are five telling signs:
- Emotional Overwhelm
You frequently feel flooded by emotions that seem to come out of nowhere.
Reflection Question: How often do you feel blindsided by your emotional reactions? - Decision Paralysis
Even simple choices become overwhelming, from meal planning to major life decisions.
Action Step: Notice when you’re stuck in decision-making this week. What patterns emerge? - Relationship Friction
You’re experiencing recurring conflicts or disconnection in relationships.
Prayer Prompt: Ask God to reveal patterns in your relationship challenges. - People-Pleasing
Your own wants and needs have become unclear because you’re so focused on others.
Journal Prompt: What would you do differently if you weren’t worried about others’ opinions? - Spiritual Dryness
Your relationship with God feels distant or mechanical.
Reflection Question: When did you last feel truly connected in your faith walk?
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The Biblical Foundation
Self-awareness isn’t just a modern concept. It’s deeply rooted in Scripture. When David prayed, “Search me, God, and know my heart” (Psalm 139:23), he was inviting divine insight into his inner world. This kind of honest self-examination before God transforms our personal growth from a self-help journey into a sacred practice.
My own journey with grace taught me that true self-awareness begins with understanding how God sees us. When we align our self-perception with His truth, we discover both our areas for growth and our God-given potential.
5 Life-Changing Benefits
Understanding yourself better through God’s lens brings transformative benefits:
- Life Purpose Alignment
Self-awareness connects you with your God-given purpose, helping you understand how your unique gifts serve His kingdom.
Action Step: List three ways your natural talents could serve others. - Authentic Relationships
When you understand yourself better, you show up more genuinely in relationships, creating deeper connections with both God and others.
Reflection Question: How has lack of self-awareness affected your key relationships? - Clarity and Focus
Understanding your true priorities helps cut through the noise of life’s many demands.
Journal Prompt: What activities drain you? What energizes you? - Increased Resilience
Recognizing your patterns and triggers helps you respond rather than react to life’s challenges.
Action Step: Identify one triggering situation and plan a new response. - Growing Confidence
As you align with your true identity in Christ, decision-making becomes clearer and more confident.
Scripture Meditation: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:13-14)
Practical Steps Forward
Let’s turn insight into action with these five practical steps:
1. Establish a Self-Reflection Practice
Start with just five minutes daily, either through journaling or quiet reflection. Ask yourself:
- What am I feeling right now?
- Why might I be feeling this way?
2. Use Self-Assessment for Insight
Personality assessments are tools to help you recognize patterns, strengths, and areas for growth. While no test defines you, they can be valuable in building self-awareness and understanding how you show up in the world. My top three suggestions are:
- Enneagram: Shows core motivations and growth areas. *My personal favorite
- Myers-Briggs (MBTI): Helps identify how you process information and make decisions.
- StrengthsFinder: While not a personality assessment per se, StrengthsFinder reveals your top talents and how to lean into them.
3. Practice the Power Pause
When emotions run high, try this simple technique:
- Stop and take a deep breath
- Count to ten
- Ask yourself what you’re feeling and why
- Choose your next response prayerfully
4. Seek Trusted Feedback
Identify people who will speak truth in love. Ask specific questions about your blind spots and strengths.
5. Deepen Your Prayer Life
Make self-reflection part of your prayer practice. Try this structure:
- Gratitude
- Honest self-assessment
- Listening for God’s guidance
- Surrender and commitment to growth
Bonus: Create Daily Check-ins
Build brief moments throughout your day to assess:
- Your emotional state
- Your energy levels
- Your alignment with your values
Your Journey Begins Now
Remember, self-awareness isn’t about self-judgment – it’s about growing in truth and grace. As you begin this journey, start small but be intentional. Choose one practice from above and commit to it for the next week.
“You are created for a purpose, and the first step in living it out is to know who you are right here, right now.”
Ready to move from overwhelm to clarity? Download my free guide to “5 Simple Habits for Balance and Focus” and start your journey to greater self-awareness today!
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