Not long ago, I heard from someone facing a common challenge: growing up spiritually. While the specific issue isn’t necessary, the response is what matters most. She wanted to know how to overcome her struggle and grow in Christ. She was interested in maturing spiritually.
Growing up spiritually as a Christian means deepening one’s relationship with God, embracing the teachings of Jesus Christ, and applying biblical principles in daily life. It involves a transformation of the heart and mind, where believers strive to align their thoughts, actions, and goals with God’s will.
This journey includes activities like praying, worshiping, studying scripture, and being part of a faith community that keeps you accountable and encourages you. Plus, spiritual growth involves facing and overcoming challenges, developing traits like love, patience, and humility, and seeking ways to serve others.
As Christians grow in their faith, they become better at sharing the Gospel and demonstrating God’s love in a world that can often be chaotic and in need of hope.
It Takes Time -Growing Up Spiritually
As a Christian woman, I’m sure you understand that maturing in faith is a continuous journey. Just as no baby transitions instantly from infant to a busy toddler, neither does a “young” Christian become fully mature overnight. It requires time, making mistakes, and learning from them. Most importantly, it involves spending time in God’s Word and letting the Holy Spirit guide your life.
Other Steps:
I believe some key steps will guide us all as we focus on growing up spiritually.
1. Spend Time in Prayer: Cultivate a consistent prayer life and prioritize communicating with God regularly. This may surprise some, but it’s simply common sense. Growing up spiritually requires spending time with Jesus. Prayer is a powerful way to seek guidance, express gratitude, and invite God’s presence into your life.
2. Study the Bible: Make it a routine – not just something you do occasionally. Take time to read and reflect on God’s Word. Christian sister, I know you understand that the Bible offers valuable wisdom and support. Consider joining a Bible study group or using resources to deepen your understanding. You might even start one! I have ideas on my Women’s Ministry Resources.com!
3. Worship and Fellowship: Go to regular church services and connect with other women believers. Joining a local church can help you grow spiritually, find guidance, and help others.
4. Practice Forgiveness: As a Christian, it is vital to foster a heart of forgiveness. Show grace and mercy to others just as God has shown to you. Forgive those who have wronged you and let go of any bitterness or resentment that could hinder your spiritual growth.
5. Serve Others: Jesus showed us how to serve selflessly, and we should follow His example as Christian women, right? Find ways to help and support others in your church and community. Serving those in need helps strengthen your own faith.
6. Embrace Spiritual Disciplines: Discipline is crucial for spiritual growth. Engage in activities like fasting, spending quiet time with the Lord, Christian journaling, and stewardship. These habits strengthen your reliance on Jesus and enhance your spiritual development!
7. Seek Wise Counsel: Dummies beget dummies. Sorry to sound so blunt, but if you associate with people who are not growing up spiritually, they can negatively influence your efforts. Instead, surround yourself with mature Christian women who can offer guidance, accountability, and support on your journey.
Let me dig a little deeper into a few of these…
Committing your life to Christ doesn’t mean you will be instantly perfect; again, it’s a process. It’s a growth experience – one we ALL have to go through and, quite frankly, continue to go through our entire lives. Take the pressure off yourself and allow God to do His perfect work. Sometimes, we want to rush our maturation process and try to do it in our own strength, and that’s when we [all] fall flat on our faces. :) Allow Him to work in you, through you, and in you. If you focus on staying close to Him, you’ll soon find that the things you used to do don’t seem quite as appealing; that’s when the change begins. Again, the Christian Walk is a process.
I have a personal example.
One of the things that once spiritually held me back was a particular man. He was absolutely GORGEOUS! It seemed I couldn’t stay away from him. I knew he was bad for me, but I thought I loved him. When I became serious about my walk with Christ, things started to change almost effortlessly. The closer I got to God, the stronger I became in His word. I soon saw my “addictive” boyfriend for what he was – a doggie (bow wow) in a Mercedes.
Growing up spiritually was impossible with him in my life. I had to choose. Seriously, Christian sister, something happens the closer you get to the Lord. You begin to see clearly. You gain power.
God did what I could never do; he made the man (pulling me away from Him) and the sin (sleeping with the man) disgusting to me.
Does that make sense?
Feelings are simply useless as you’re growing up spiritually.
Don’t worry about how you feel. Feeling something is a sense best kept to earthly things, not spiritual things. As you grow spiritually, you’ll find “feelings” becoming a blur in the distance. You’ll focus on what you know! We live by faith; it’s the cornerstone of the Christian walk. (Read 2 Corinthians 5:7):
New International Version
For we live by faith, not by sight.
New Living Translation
For we live by believing and not by seeing.
English Standard Version
for we walk by faith, not by sight.
Click here to visit the Bible Hub website. :)
You might feel alone or frustrated, but the truth is your Heavenly Father is right there with you, ahead of you, alongside you, and behind you – all at the same time. He’s always present, even when you don’t feel Him. It’s similar to oxygen; you can’t feel it, but it’s keeping you alive. He’s keeping you alive this very moment, Girl! He’s got you!
Hang in there, Christian Woman!
Finally, don’t give up. If you fall, get back up and begin again.
Stay in the Christian walk; in time, God will blow your mind with victories and more testimonies than you could imagine. The key is to endure and stay in it.
Finally, don’t give up. If you fall, get back up and start again. Stay committed to the Christian walk; in time, God will blow your mind with victories and more testimonies than you can imagine.
The key is to endure and stay in it. Don’t give up on yourself. And don’t give up on Jesus because, again, the Christian walk is a process.
Growing up spiritually takes time.
You may stumble from time to time, and that’s okay. And don’t give up on Jesus because, again, the Christian walk is a process.
Growing up spiritually takes time. You may bump your head from time to time, and that’s okay.
A person’s struggle is not as important as the method of dealing with it.
Indeed, it is often the response to adversity that defines one’s character and resilience. How we confront our challenges, whether through seeking support, practicing self-care, or employing effective coping strategies, can profoundly influence our mental and emotional well-being.
Do you agree?
Leave a heart emoji or comment if you do. Also, be sure to check out my post on obedience, the cornerstone of spiritual maturity!
Lots of truth spoken here! I also love how you write, very relationally! Thank you Teri for this encouraging post! And I love the t-shirts!
Thank you for the encouragement to let me stay on it and endure because no matter what it will be worth it! Thank you and God bless!
Years ago, in a discipleship course I received I learned that as we grow as a Christian the Cross becomes bigger, because we see our need for it and what it represents more and more. Thanks for your encouragement to press on as I grow up spiritually.
Great message but I really like the t-shirts. Thank you for sharing! :)
Thanks! Yes, life is full of peaks and valleys. ?
What great advice you give!! I really loved when you said “For me, I often crawl in life’s race, but I’m still in it. Other times, I sprint.” It’s so good to remember we won’t always be sprinting but we simply need to keep enduring. So good!
Thanks, Teresa! We serve such a good God. Thanks for stopping by!
That’s so true. It’s a process and the Holy Spirit is a huge part of the process.
Praise God! That’s surely what we all need – grace. Thanks so much!
Wow! I just loved this post. It packed full of truth that I am learning and that I often wish wasn’t true. That change takes time not from trying harder but from drawing strength from Christ and His word. Man, I’d love to become spiritually mature overnight. This post is full of grace for the journey and I’m grateful for it.
Much wisdom here! Growing in our walk with God takes time and perseverance. I loved your advice to this young woman! So encouraging and empathetic. Blessings!
Great advice that the young woman should find very helpful. Wonderful job. Thanks for sharing.
Great advice. Our spiritual walk is a life long journey, and we continue to learn and grow all the way through our lives. Thank you for offering encouragement to persevere to those who are discouraged in their fail. God bless your ministry.
I love the words “focus on how you grow” and check your feelings at the door”.
this is such an inspiring post. thumbs up.
Great encouragement! We have all made bad choices along the way. I love how you told your story and how God was able to help you grow stronger. Now you can share your testimony to help others!
Praise God, Carla. What a wonderful ministry to young girls! May God bless you in doing it!
Absolutely love this post! You break down the process of sanctification in such a relatable and encouraging way. I disciple a group of teen girls and one of them just asked me the same question about growing spiritually. I am going to read this post to her! Thanks for this encouragement!
thank you for this wonderful post..
I just finished a great study by Elizabeth George over the book of Phillipeans in which she talks extensively about endurance and maturity in Christian living. It’s called, Becoming a Woman of Peace. Paul wrote to the Phillipeans about the nature of endurance from a prison in Rome. Despite the hardships he faced, he continued on in his faith journey, keeping his eyes on the prize–to see God face to face.
I’ve been a Christian for most of my life and I still don’t have it all figured out. Yet even while I continue to struggle and fall, God is there to pick me back and set me on the right course. Spiritual mentors are also invaluable resources. Not only can they point you in the right direction, they’ll fall to their knees in the trenches with you!
Very sound and inspiring advice. Walking with Christ is lifetime not just a sprint. He that endures to the end will be saved.