“Ìwà l’ẹwà” — Character is Beauty

I was reflecting recently about someone who is physically good‑looking—so attractive that people are drawn to them like moths to a flame. Yet, their character leaves much to be desired.

And it made me pause.

What is the essence of drawing people in, only to push them away through behaviour rooted in a rotten character—selfishness, self‑centredness, an unforgiving heart, and other traits that poison relationships?

The Scriptures give us sobering examples.

Rachel, described as beautiful in form and appearance (Genesis 29:17), lived a life marked by envy, rivalry, and discontent.

Absalom, praised as flawless from head to toe (2 Samuel 14:25), allowed pride, rebellion, and vengeance to destroy him.

Both their stories remind us that outward beauty without inner substance is a dangerous combination. It attracts, but it cannot sustain. It shines, but it cannot keep anyone warm. It draws attention, but it does not build legacy.

Outward beauty and inner ugliness is a contradiction that eventually reveals itself.

It is like a well‑decorated house with a rotten foundation—impressive at first glance, but unsafe to dwell in.

Give me plainness on the outside and beauty on the inside any day.

Because true beauty—ìwà, character—is what endures, what nourishes, what blesses, and what keeps relationships whole.

In the end, “Ìwà l’ẹwà” is not just a proverb.

It is a warning, a mirror, and an invitation to cultivate the kind of inner life that makes us truly beautiful.

Let us be beautiful on the outside and the inside

Adeola Akintoye

Self-Sabotage

Nearly twenty years ago, my pastor (in South Africa) asked me to prepare to take the Word that Sunday. My first reaction was horror. “I cannot. I am not ready," were the first words out of my mouth. Bless him, he gently rebuked me and said, “You are ready’. I nearly self-sabotaged even before the ministry Christ has committed into my hands saw the light of the day.

Over the years, I still see self-sabotage raise its ugly head. Those negative thoughts and even action that is contrary to what I want to achieve. But I have realised that Self-sabotage is one of the most powerful destiny killers.

It happens when our own thoughts, habits, actions, or behaviors undermine or interfere with our gifts, purpose, goals, or well-being—even when we genuinely desire progress. Often it’s unconscious. We want to succeed, yet our patterns block us, and the cycle repeats.

Common Ways to Self-Sabotage

* Procrastination: Delaying important tasks even when deadlines are close.
* Negative Self-Talk: Telling ourself we are not good enough.
* Unrealistic Standards: Setting the bar too high, then quitting when we fall short.

Why do we Self-Sabotage?

• Fear of Failure or Success
• Low Self-Esteem
• Comfort in Familiar Patterns
• Unresolved Past Experiences
• What is your reason?

Biblical Pictures of Self-Sabotage

Samson
He was chosen and gifted, yet his impulsive desires—especially his entanglement with Delilah—led him to betray his own calling. His downfall shows how ignoring boundaries can sabotage destiny.

King Saul
Anointed as Israel’s first king, yet insecurity, disobedience, and jealousy caused him to lose God’s favor and ultimately his kingdom.

Lesson: Even with divine calling, unmastered impulses and fears can derail purpose.

Biblical Pictures of Overcoming Self-Sabotage

Peter
He denied Jesus out of fear, but Jesus restored him. Peter became a bold leader—proof that failure can refine, not define.

Moses
He doubted himself and felt unqualified, but God reassured him. Moses stepped into his assignment and became Israel’s great deliverer.

Jonah
He ran from God’s instruction, but repentance restored him. His obedience led Nineveh to repentance.

Lesson: Self-sabotage doesn’t have to be the end of our story. With humility and obedience, we can rise again.

Breaking the Cycle

It is possible for us to break free.
- [ ] Prayer: Pray without ceasing
- [ ] Increase Self-Awareness: I notice patterns that block progress.
- [ ] Challenge Negative Beliefs: Replace “I can’t” with “I’m learning.”
- [ ] Set Realistic Goals: Break big tasks into steps.
- [ ] Seek Support: Accountability helps me reframe my thinking.
- [ ] Practice Self-Compassion: I treat myself with patience.

Key Takeaway

Self-sabotage is not a permanent trait—it’s a pattern I can change. When we recognize the signs and address the fears beneath them, we stop undermining ourself and move closer to our God-given purpose.

🙏 Prayer Points

1. Renewed Mindset
Lord, transform my mind and remove every negative thought pattern that causes me to doubt myself or sabotage my progress.

2. Discipline and Focus
Father, strengthen me to overcome procrastination, distraction, and laziness.

3. Freedom From Fear and Insecurity
Lord, break the hold of fear, insecurity, and self-doubt. Fill me with boldness and confidence.

4. Obedience and Humility
Heavenly Father, keep me from pride and disobedience. Teach me to walk in Your will.

5. Restoration and Purpose

Lord, restore every area where I have sabotaged myself. Redirect my steps toward Your purpose and let my story reveal Your grace.

Adeola Akintoye

Súrù Lèrè — Patience Is Profitable

Recently, I was driving through Ojota in Lagos, Nigeria. I was exiting from one motorway into another when I suddenly found myself sandwiched between two trucks. I believed I was already ahead of them, so I continued driving, expecting both drivers to slow down.

But in a split second, the truck on my right clipped the back of my car. The impact scraped the side and pulled out the edge of my rear bumper. His own front bumper was also damaged.

In that moment, a Yoruba adage rose sharply in my mind:

Súrù Lèrè — Patience is Profitable.

If either of us had exercised just a little patience—one extra second, one small pause—both vehicles would have passed through without damage. No repairs. No inconvenience. No unnecessary loss.

Life is like that.

A moment of impatience can cost far more than we expect.
A moment of patience can save far more than we imagine.

Where Patience Matters Most

Patience is not weakness; it is wisdom. It is strength under control. It is the quiet discipline that prevents unnecessary battles and preserves what truly matters.

Here are some areas of life where patience becomes a shield, a teacher, and a lifeline:

1. As a Parent

Children grow in stages. They test boundaries, learn slowly, repeat mistakes, and stretch our capacity.
Patience teaches us to guide rather than react, to nurture rather than explode, to model the calm we want them to embody.
A patient parent raises a secure child.

2. With a Spouse

Marriage is a union of two imperfect people learning to love each other daily.
Patience softens conflicts, slows down harsh words, and gives room for understanding.
Sometimes the greatest gift you can give your spouse is time—time to process, time to grow, time to heal.

3. In Friendships and Relationships

People disappoint. People change. People evolve.
Patience helps us hold space for others without forcing them into our expectations.
It keeps relationships from breaking under the weight of assumptions and quick judgments.

4. In Career and Business

Not every opportunity matures immediately.
Patience keeps you from rushing into wrong partnerships, premature decisions, or shortcuts that cost more later.
Growth takes time—real, sustainable growth even more so.

5. In Personal Growth

Be patient with yourself.
Transformation is not instant. Healing is not linear. Becoming who God designed you to be is a journey, not a sprint.

Biblical Wisdom on Patience

Scripture consistently presents patience as a virtue, a fruit, and a mark of spiritual maturity.
* “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” — James 1:4

Patience completes us. It shapes character.
* “Love is patient, love is kind…” — 1 Corinthians 13:4

The first description of love is patience. Without patience, love cannot stand.
* “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” — Psalm 37:7

Patience is an act of trust—trusting God’s timing over our urgency.
* “The fruit of the Spirit is… patience…” — Galatians 5:22

Patience is evidence of the Spirit at work in us.

The Bible doesn’t treat patience as optional. It is foundational to wisdom, relationships, and spiritual growth.

The Heart of the Matter

Impatience is expensive.
Patience is profitable.

Whether on the road, in the home, in relationships, or in the quiet corners of our personal journey, patience protects us from unnecessary losses and positions us for lasting gain.

In life, a little patience can prevent a lifetime of regret.

Súrù Lèrè. Patience truly pays.

Adeola Akintoye