Fifteen-year-old granddaughter Zadrian, was recently inspired to connect each lesson (ie chapter) in my book to a Bible verse. With her permission, I share the first eight of her 32 observations. I hope you will be delighted and inspired!
—————————
Lesson 1: Select Carefully Your Mom And Dad
Parents make such a huge impact on our lives and can determine whether or not we are successful. I thought of Ephesians 6: 2 & 3 where it talks about honoring your father and mother and if you do this you will live a long life.
“Honor your father and mother —which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” – Ephesians 6: 2-3 (NIV)
Lesson 2: Recognize The Value Of A Supportive Family
A supportive family means so much, especially in terms of your success. I thought of Ephesians 6:4 where it says for fathers to not provoke their children to anger but lead them in the right path. I thought of this verse because a father and mother’s support and guidance is so important.
“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. – Ephesians 6:4 (NIV)
Lesson 3: Third Decade Of Life Crucial To Career
It’s more important to choose a job that will give you experience and brings with it good mentors, rather than the job that pays more. I thought about Malachi 3:10 because it says that if you are a tither then good blessings will be poured out on you. I think that because as a tither, I don’t have to pick the job that pays more, but I can pick the job with more experience and guidance and be blessed.
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” – Malachi 3:10 (NIV)
Lesson 4: Never Forget Who Brought You To The Dance
Never turn your back on people who helped you succeed in your career. You don’t have to be best friends with them, just always be thankful and kind towards them. I thought about Ephesians 4:32 because it talks about appreciating people and loving them as Christ loves them.
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)
Lesson 5: Learn To Make Lemonade Out Of A Lemon
Making mistakes and failures on your way to success prepares you for the top. Better to fail now and learn from it than when you are at the top. I thought of Psalm 73:26 because it talks about failures and how God is our strength and our portion.
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” – Psalm 73:26 (NIV)
Lesson 6: Keep “Real You” Intact On The Ride To The Top
Don’t forget who you are on your way to the top. Your career choice should not change your personality. I thought of Romans 12:2 because it talks about not conforming to the earthly things around you.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Lesson 7: Prior Success Is No Guarantee For The Future
Success that you had in the past is not guaranteed in your future. Don’t rest on past success. I thought of Galatians 6:9 where it talks about not growing weary or faint of doing good, because in due season we will reap what we sow, but only if we don’t relax our courage.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galations 6:9 (NIV)
Lesson 8: Always Do What You Say You Are Going To Do
Integrity is a big part of success especially when it comes to leadership. Integrity is important, I believe, in every career path you choose. Employers want to hire people they can trust and not have to question every word you say. I thought of Proverbs 11:2-3 because it talks about how integrity brings wisdom and soundness. But if you lack integrity you will feel emptiness and shame.
“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.” – Proverbs 11:2 & 3
© 2018 Zadrian Krauss. All rights reserved.
