With so many desires and ambitions clamoring for our attention, we should regularly seek God’s help to focus on the true marks of Christian maturity. The Bible counsels us to pursue such virtues and encourages us to welcome the experiences that bring them into our lives.

But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

—1 Timothy 6:11–12 NKJV