5 Ways to Radically Grow
By Steve Backlund
There is a gardening product in the United States called Miracle Grow. It advertises that it instantly feeds vegetables, trees, shrubs, and houseplants to grow bigger and more beautiful than unfed plants. As with plants, we too can add “miracle grow” ingredients into our lives that will bring more life and health to us, compared to those who don’t.
1) Hang out with eagles - “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed” (Proverbs 13:20). Who we “hang out” with dramatically impacts our lives. It is the wise person who connects to those flying higher than them through:
Coaches, counselors, and mentors - The wisdom and accountability this brings is invaluable
Podcasts, books, and courses - I read this as a young church leader: “I have never seen a discouraged pastor who is reading books.”
Church attendance - “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).
2) Embrace failure - “For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again (Proverbs 24:16). Just like a toddler learning to walk does not do so without much apparent failure, we too will struggle as we seek to walk out our true identity and gifting. Let’s remember:
Winston Churchill’s quote - “Success is moving from failure without losing enthusiasm.”
Steve Backlund’s quotes - “Those who succeed most seem to fail most,” and “God’s method of making great leaders is to make them successful on the inside when they do not seem successful on the outside.”
This experience from sports teams - When they move into a higher league of competition, they will most likely not be as “successful” as in the lower league. If they keep competing against the better opponents, they will eventually adapt and start winning too.
3) Keep learning - “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). This is very similar to hanging out with eagles, but I want to come at this from a different angle.
Avoid pride - ““God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). Pride does not mean you think you're great, but it means we think we are greater than other people.
Stay teachable - No matter how much knowledge or experience we have, there is always more to learn and grow in. We never know which person might say something that changes our lives. It could be a five year old.
Be a strong question-asker - “If you could write a book, what would it be about?” “What is something you have accomplished that you are proud of?” “What advice would you give your younger self?
4) Defeat procrastination - “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18). Procrastination is the of something that needs to be done, often because it is unpleasant or boring. Here are some truths to help defeat this tendency.
Both successful and unsuccessful people don't feel like doing things, but successful people find a way to do what they don’t feel like doing. They develop systems that make it difficult to procrastinate on what is important.
Those who live in the important and non-urgent time quadrant (instead of the urgent and non-important quadrant ) will have healthier relationships, more fruit, and more joy in their lives because they are not procrastinating on their most important priorities.
Vision for the future gives power and purpose for the present. Our motivation is often directly related to our sense of significance and that we are preparing for greater things.
5) Relentlessly renew your mind - “Taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5) Radical growth starts in our thinking. If we believe we can, we can. Years ago, someone asked me how long do we need really focus on mind-renewal? I said, “Commit to five years and then decide what to do from there.” Most likely at that point, we will make it a lifestyle. Relentless mind renewers know:
Working on beliefs is almost always more important than working on actions.
Believing truth makes us free (John 8:32) - first in our emotions and then in our circumstances.
We cannot consistently do what we don’t believe we are.
Increasing hope is the evidence that we are renewing our minds with truth and not lies (Romans 15:13).
I believe these five “miracle grow” ingredients will cause you to be healthier, more fruitful, and more beautiful than ever before.