We have all been there. Been at a place in our lives where we feel stuck. You are getting things done, yet you do not feel like you are growing. You want to move to the next level, yet do not really know how to get there.
This can occur in so many areas of our lives. As a woman, a wife, or a mother, there is room for growth in so many different areas of our lives. With so many, it is easy for us to feel stuck in those areas of growth. One of the most important areas in our lives where growth is necessary, but you can often feel stagnant, is your faith.
Your faith, trust in, and reliance on God is something that you have to make sure you do not complacent in. Growing in your faith is something we have to strive for daily.
Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 3:18a (NLT)
However what happens, when you are striving to grow, yet you are not experiencing the growth you are seeking?
When you get to that place where you feel like you are not growing in your faith, it is important to ask yourself three important questions. The answers to these three questions may show you either how to take your faith to the next level or that you are not as stuck as you may feel.
Questions #1- Has God Already Spoken & Waiting For You To Move?
Seeking and praying to God is important, but that is just the first step. Listening and obeying are the next steps. God often answers our prayers with what our next steps should be. So in order to take those next steps in your faith and grow in your faith, you have to actually take the steps God is calling you to.
For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
James 2:26 (ESV)
Your faith should always be active and moving. It is easy to feel like you are not growing when you are not taking the steps of faith God is calling you to or the opportunities He has provided so you can experience the growth you are seeking.
This is something I have been guilty of and I am not proud of it. Whether it is due to fear, doubt, or procrastination, not taking the step you need to in your faith and listening to God when He is calling you will keep you from growing in your faith.
Questions #2- Are You Really Doing All You Can Do?
This is where an honest self-evaluation comes in. Not always easy, but so necessary when you truly want to grow in your faith. Are you spending quiet time with God and praying daily? Do you have a devotional or Bible study you follow? Are you worshiping God and serving at your church consistently? Do you spend time with and have genuine friendships with other believers?
The answers to these questions can help you to determine if you are really doing all that you can do to grow in your faith.
as as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him; bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God
Colossians 1:10 (ESV)
Growing in your faith and relationship with God takes work and at times sacrifice. Yet the fruit it bears is well worth it.
Need to spend more quiet time with God, go here for tips and the encouragement you may need. Looking for a devotional, you’ll find 5 of the top devotionals for women here. These and so many other steps you can take today if you find that you are not doing all you can do to grow in your faith.
Questions #3- Are You Comparing Yourself & Your Faith To Others?
The comparison trap is something that is so easy to find yourself stuck in and have you feeling your faith is stuck there too. When you find yourself here it is so important to remember that God created us all uniquely beautiful and our journeys in life and faith are all different.
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, and each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function,
Romans 12:3-4
By comparing yourself and your faith journey to someone else’s you are can potentially diminish all God has done and is doing in you and your faith journey. Yes, you need others to help you grow, push, challenge, and encourage you in your faith. Yet your goal is not to be just like another person, but to grow to be more like Christ.
Knowing what to do when we start to feel stuck in your faith journey to be more like Christ is so important. So I encourage you the next time you feel like you are not growing in your faith to ask yourself these three questions:
- Has God already spoken and waiting for me to move?
- Am I really doing all I can do?
- Am I comparing myself or my faith to others?
The answers to these three questions will show you why you may not be growing in your faith and how to take your faith to the next level.
I’d love to know what steps you take to grow in your faith in the comments!
Thank you for this! I feel like I really needed to read this in order to take a step back and look at how my faith is growing.
#2 is big for me. I know I am not doing all I can do. I often feel stuck as to where I should even start.
This is a good reminder. I know that my faith is growing and it affects how I deal with any challenges in my life everyday. I made a blog (before my current blog) about my own faith journey, and sometimes I am honestly surprised of the things that I write and say to myself. My blog posts are personal but sometimes it was written by somebody else.
Great questions to challenge me on a very important topic! I especially like the question on self-evaluation. No, I am not doing all I need to do. But, I need to change that!
Wow I didn’t even realize it but I think comparison is a big thing for me that really keeps me from showing up fully in my faith. Thank you for this eye-opening blog post!!