As I journey deeper into my late 30s, I’m coming to the realization that my body weight and muscles mass are no longer going to regulate themselves like they used to… If I don’t take intentional steps to build muscle, and burn calories, then I will not have the strength or the resilience physically as I did when I was younger and naturally more active. This is the way of things for a lot of us. Over time our healthy habits fall out of focus and we need to dedicate time and effort to being healthy physically. The same is true for each of us spiritually. Once, we were naturally vibrant and active in our relationship with God and in practices that helped us stay connected to Him. Over time, the habits that keep us connected to a relationship with God tend to get lazy, or mundane, and we aren’t as spiritually fit as we once were. The time and effort we put into building our spiritual muscles is equal to the vibrancy we will have in our relationship with God. This is where spiritual disciplines come in.
In the journey of spiritual growth, one of the key factors in strengthening our faith is dedicating intentional time and effort toward faith building activities. Spiritual disciplines are intentional activities that help us cultivate a deeper connection with God and grow in our faith. These practices, rooted in ancient traditions and teachings, offer a framework to nurture our spiritual life and cultivate a closer relationship with the Holy Spirit.
In their resource titled “10 Spiritual Disciplines to Strengthen Your Faith” the ministry Cru discusses the significance of spiritual disciplines in the process of strengthening our faith. They explore various spiritual disciplines that can help us all draw closer to God and experience spiritual transformation. These disciplines include prayer, meditation, fasting, scripture study, solitude, fellowship, and worship. By embracing and practicing these disciplines, we can each create a rhythm of spiritual growth that brings us closer to God’s presence and strengthens our relationship with Him. However, consistency is key. Just like physical exercise, spiritual habits build our strength, resilience, and spiritual sensitivity over time and repetition. One day of reading your Bible and praying will not revolutionize your spiritual life anymore than getting up. One morning and running 10 miles will give you long-term health benefits. It takes integrating these practices into your lifestyle on a regular basis in order to really see growth and change.
In addition to strengthening our relationship with God, engaging in these practices can also deepen our self-awareness, increase our understanding of God’s Word, develop a stronger sense of community, and create habits of character formation. By integrating these disciplines into our lives, we create space for spiritual growth, allowing God to work in and through us. Spiritual disciplines are not a means to obtain God’s love or favor, but rather ways to cultivate a deeper connection with Him and align our lives with His purposes.
Practicing spiritual disciplines is an essential aspect of following Jesus. Whether you are in search of a closer relationship with God, seeking personal growth, or desiring a stronger faith foundation, engaging in these disciplines can provide a pathway for spiritual transformation.
Check out this website to learn more about specific disciplines and get started on integrating them into your life. Spiritual dad bad
Pastor Aaron Brown 
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