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Self-Care: Take Care of Your Growth
Issue #432, September 23, 2026
Great leaders focus on the needs of others—but do not neglect caring for themselves. As we have already seen, they take care of their souls and their bodies. They also find ways to grow and develop their own gifts and calling. Paul calls Timothy to this aspect of self-care:
14Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you. 15Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress (1 Timothy 4:14-15, NIV).
6For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:6-7).
In these verses, Paul calls Timothy to nurture and develop the gifts given to him by God. Timothy’s growth would impact his leadership, just as our growth impacts ours, in several ways.
Taking care of your growth enlarges your capacity.
Paul tells Timothy to “fan into flame” the gift God has given to him. No leader begins with maturity; it requires growth and practice. Leaders need to invest time to grow and develop capacity. Paul was a great model for Timothy to follow but Timothy had to take care of his own growth and development. The Irish proverb reflects this truth: “You’ve got to do your own growing, no matter how tall your grandfather was.” When a leader grows, the people under them benefit. They will experience better leadership and be challenged to grow themselves. Some leaders are content to rely on their previous success and focus on maintaining their role. But serving leaders are passionate about growing themselves and developing their God-given gifts and roles. They invest time and money to enlarge their own capacity.
Taking care of your growth expands your impact.
Paul urges Timothy to grow his gift “so that everyone may see your progress.” He connects Timothy’s development with a life characterized not by timidity but “power, love and self-discipline.” His growth would expand the impact he would have on the lives of others. As he developed greater leadership capacity, his impact would expand, enabling him to lead people more effectively and to serve more people. Investing time and resources in your own growth is not selfish—it prepares you to serve with greater impact.
Some leaders seek to grow only to benefit themselves and advance their own power and authority. But serving leaders want to bless others—so they grow themselves.
Taking care of your growth expresses appreciation to God.
Paul makes it clear to Timothy that the gift he has is not for himself; it is the “gift of God” which came through the “laying on of my hands.” He wants Timothy to be clear that he is a steward of his leadership capacity and that the best way he can express his appreciation to God is to fan the gift into flame! Gifts are not given to us as mature and fully developed; we are called to develop them. God provides the flicker, then invites us to fan it into a flame.
Some leaders grow themselves because they want to achieve greatness for themselves. But serving leaders grow themselves because they want God to be glorified in their leadership. Their commitment to personal growth is an act of worship and it makes them better leaders.
For further reflection and discussion:
- Do I see my leadership as a gift from God that He expects me to nurture and develop? How does this impact the way I invest in my own growth?
- In what ways do I invest time and resources in my own growth as a leader? Are there changes I need to make in this area?
- In what specific ways am I currently growing and developing my leadership gift? Are positive changes in my leadership evident to those around me? If not, what do I need to change?
- What additional insights about the need for growing myself do I gain from the following passages? Matthew 25:14-30; Ephesians 4:15-16; Hebrews 5:12-14; Philippians 3:12-14; Romans 12:6-8; 1 Peter 4:10-11; 1 Timothy 4:7-8.
Until next time, yours on the journey,
Jon Byler
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In the next issue, we’ll begin a new series. |
