Growth = change

“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2 Just about anyone would agree that growing is a good thing, but relatively few people actually dedicate themselves to the process. Why? Because growth requires change, and change is hard for most people. But the truth is that without change, growth is impossible. Most people fight against change, especially when it affects them personally. As novelist Leo Tolstoy said, "Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself." The ironic thing is that change is inevitable. Everybody has to deal with it in their lives. On the other hand, growth is optional. You can choose to grow or to fight it. But know this: people unwilling to grow will never reach their potential. Making the change from being an occasional learner to someone dedicated to personal growth is tough. It goes against the grain of the way most people live. Most people celebrate when they receive their diploma or degree and say to themselves, "Thank goodness that's over. I'm done with studying." But that kind of thinking doesn't take you any higher than average. Excerpt from Your Road Map for Success

Covering

One of the biggest ways I see a change in my heart and day is when I refrain from talking about an offense someone inflicted. 

I think it’s our nature to want other people to be on our side when we have been wronged so we let other people know about it.  

But God calls us to a higher leveled response than succumbing to our nature. We have a new nature in Christ, but we have to choose to act in it for it to become more and more our natural response. A queen always acts in love and love is trusting, not fearful. Because a queen trusts God, she is able to cover an offense by not talking about it. (Proverbs 17:9.)  

A gossip stirs up division and separates close friends. Sometimes this might be your goal, but it only hurts and stops you from being in union with God.