Just because you are a good Christian doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement. You can always seek to be a better and more authentic Christian. Your personal development as a Christian may include learning more about Scripture or joining a Bible study group. 

A Bible study can help you learn to trust in God and learn true repentance. Mark 1:15 tells us that: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” 

In your daily life, you should strive to help others, not just out of Christian duty, but to perform a good deed for its own reward. 

Reflect upon how your belief in God can make you a better person and remove your doubts. Remember the words of Luke 1:37, who says, “For nothing will be impossible with God.”

If you want to become a better version of yourself and live your best life, start with these ten simple steps:

1. Trust in God’s plan. Stop trying to force your will on the world and learn to relax. When you stop trying to control events in life, which you have no real control over, you’ll see definite improvements in your mental health and general well-being.

2. Get to know Jesus better. Start by studying the Gospels, which describe the life and ministry as well as the death and resurrection of Jesus. 

The Gospels tell you not only about Jesus as a person but as a leader who models personal qualities we should all aspire to have.

3. Decide on your life’s values and how best to follow them. Your values are the core beliefs you have about who you are as a person. Start with this inspiring podcast Transform yourself. 

Personal transformation starts with learning to have self-awareness. The Bible tells us to transform ourselves by trusting in God - where we renew and reset our life.

4. Write an inventory of your actions regularly. Consider how your behavior aligns with the Ten Commandments. Jot down how you react to stress or manage anger and how you treat your loved ones and family members. Show self-compassion and be patient with yourself. 

After reflecting on your behavior, consider what changes you’d like to see. Then, make a plan to take steps towards those changes. Ensure you also take the time to appreciate the things you are doing well.

5. Practice self-care by addressing your fundamental needs, starting with eating healthy foods and getting enough sleep. Self-actualization places you in a more confident position to live your best Christian life. You might also want to practice these positive affirmations.

6. Connect with others. Learning to feel connected with other people can make you more resilient. It is also part of God’s plan, we are meant to live within a community of people. Take time to listen to others and be receptive to their ideas. When you are a good listener, you become a better friend.

7. Learn to show compassion to others and yourself, as Jesus did. Focus on forgiveness, but don’t let people who have wronged you remain in your life as a negative influence.

8. Practice gratitude on a daily basis and use a gratitude journal. Learn to celebrate the unexpected victories in your life. Be grateful for good health, food on your table, or when your children do the dishes without being asked. Share the gratitude you feel with other people, this spreads joy and positive energy.

9. Let go of anger and resentments.  When you banish negative emotions like anger and resentment, you’ll live a happier life. Remember the words of Psalm 37:8 which say: "Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil."

10. Help others. Doing random acts of kindness can help you grow in spirit. If you see a homeless person, offer them some spare change. Decide to help someone without expecting gratitude or applause. 

When you read the Scriptures regularly, you’ll discover simple truth in the Word of God. 

The words contained in 1 John 3:1 instruct us, “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” Learn what it means to truly know God.

When you practice forgiveness and learn to pray for your enemies, you are letting go of anger and resentment. This alone can bring you closer to God. Christians understand that true repentance and faith in Jesus will deliver a new life in Christ. 

Understanding the magnitude of the gifts that God has given us, including eternal life. Remember the words of Romans 6:23, which tell us that: “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 

Let your reflection and desire to be a better person guide your actions. God’s righteousness can be expressed in our own words and deeds and by practicing virtues such as love, compassion, kindness, and gentleness towards others. 

Being an authentic Christian encourages you to be the best version of yourself because you recognize that Jesus Christ died to save us from sin.

Learning how to be a better person might mean facing challenges. But, with God, you are never alone.

Becoming a better Christian starts with a confident belief in God and acknowledging that the Son of God, Jesus Christ, died for our sins. When we truly appreciate this enormous sacrifice, we're compelled to follow a spiritual path.  

Remember the promises in 2 Corinthians 5:17, which says, “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” Consider yourself reborn in Christ.

If you want to learn more about living as an authentic Christian, download the Pray.com app — for daily prayer, bedtime Bible stories, and more — in the Google Play and Apple Store.