Reading - A Powerful Personal Development Tool

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

There’s a popular saying, If you want to hide something from black people, put it in a book. Truth is, if you want to hide anything from a person who refuses to read, then put it in a book. Colour does not matter here.

When I was younger, I loved reading fiction, but if you wanted to hide something from me, put it in a nonfiction book. Nonfiction was boring! I wanted fantasy and dialogue. My father thought that since I loved reading I would read just about anything, so he gave me How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. If I had read beyond the first chapter, I might have become a person of influence much earlier in life.

But it is what it is.

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

Reading, or studying, as Paul recommended to Timothy, is an essential tool of the Christian workman. Our only physical tool is the Bible; and we are called to study and use it daily walk. We meditate on the words and let the Holy Spirit teach and guide as we dwell on His word.

To this we can add the other books written that cover various aspects of life. I started reading books on faith and prayer when I joined the Love Family. These books taught me to trust in God’s word and care, strengthening my growing faith.

And the reading improved during my stay at the Nigerian Christian Corpers Fellowship family house in Ebonyi. The books on communications and relationships helped during the service year and when I entered the workforce. I learnt to communicate effectively with coworkers and superiors, leading to more leadership opportunities everywhere I worked.

It also helped when I got married. Marriage communication is another level where you need to read verbal, nonverbal and even non-existent cues. Interpersonal relationships with your spouse, your parents, siblings and in-laws. Then, toss the friends and neighbours into the mix, making your home life the stuff of TV shows.

All that reading became useful when I launched out into business. Books on management and resilience, finances and growth. And modern technology has made things so much easier. There are now apps that provide 10–15-minute summaries of bestselling books on business, management and personal development.

There’s really no excuse now; if reading the text is difficult, you can now listen to it.

The same goes for the most important book of all. Joshua 1:8 says, This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Reading or listening to the Bible is the number one way to make your way prosperous. Make it a daily habit to get into the word. Study it first before any other book.

And always keep this in mind; Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua1:9.

Be resilient and act on what you have read. Stay courageous as you forge ahead. God is with you. Shalom.

Pamela Agboga is a lawyer and communications professional.

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