When life feels overwhelming, our personal time God tends to be the most important item missing from our to-do list. We know in our heads that our faith should be our foundation, but do our actions demonstrate that belief? Are we truly convinced that our relationship with God is the most important aspect of our lives and affects all others? As Christians, the answer we would like to give is probably a heartfelt "yes," but let's not kid ourselves.
It's not that easy.
As in all good things, cultivating a healthy spiritual life requires intentionality. In this new year, try viewing your effort to prioritize your faith as building habits that will help you become the friend, sibling, leader, son, or daughter you are called to be.
Here are some helpful tips for growing in your faith and prioritizing your spiritual life every day.
Begin with Prayer
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
- 2 Corinthians 12:9
Trying to wake up for devotions or taking those few minutes for prayer can feel like lifting a 100-ton weight. Our feeling of failure can lead to discouragement and create distance between our hearts and our Bible. But we do not need to pursue the Lord with our own strength! Make a habit of reaching out to the Lord in prayer, expressing the difficulty of making him a priority in your life, and asking for the Holy Spirit’s help and strength.
Take Time in the Morning
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” - Matthew 6:33
Take your first twenty minutes in the morning to seek God and his Kingdom. Even if you don’t feel a profound connection with the Lord in those minutes, the purpose of taking time with Him is to build our lives on the Rock. Keeping our souls in Scripture keeps our hearts on the path of righteousness.
Connect With a Christian Community
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” - Hebrew 10:24-25
We need fellow believers to spur us on in the Lord and preach truth to us. We are made for community, and if our only community is secular, then our hearts are sure to stray. Left to ourselves, it is easy to get distracted and uninspired. It takes effort to find a Christian community, but the rewards are essential to our spiritual lives.
We pray that this new year will be one of spiritual milestones and meaningful growth in your walk with the Lord.
Click to see how PHC encourages all three of these disciplines as a part of daily life at Patrick Henry College!
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