Take a Good Step

                            

Many of my friends are making resolutions for the new year, most of which involve some physical change such as losing weight or breaking a bad habit.

While those are good, I would like to resolve to grow in my spiritual life this coming year. Do you have any suggestions as to how I can accomplish that?

 From God’s perspective, we’re all a work in progress.

He wants to see us make as much progress as we can and will help us as much as we let Him. “‘I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”1

Here are some ways to grow and mature spiritually:

Exercise faith. Just as we learn through experience, through suffering the consequences of wrong decisions and reaping the rewards of right decisions, we grow spiritually as our faith is put to the test and we see that it is the solution to life’s problems.

 Recognize and work on weak areas. We all have room for improvement. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”3 It’s humbling to acknowledge our weaknesses, even if only to ourselves and God. But if we can do so and show ourselves open to advice, reminders, and prayers, we find ourselves on the fast track to spiritual progress