How do we not only keep our faith strong, but even “build our spiritual strength” beyond what we currently experience? In my years as a follower of Christ, I have come to realize that there are five spiritual practices that strengthen our soul-spirit in a way that is just like weight training for building and maintaining one’s physical strength. I have come to rely upon the power of prayer, the wisdom of Scripture, the spiritual and emotional support that comes from church, self-reflection, and input from God-honoring believers.
Prayer is our direct connection to God, and it has great power. As James, the author of the New Testament book named after him, wrote, “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (James 5:16). He was known for his dedication to prayer, so much so that it was said that his knees looked like the knees of a camel, which is to say, swollen and likely calloused. (Unfortunately for James, knee replacement surgery was not a thing in his day.) Paul was no slouch when it came to praying fervently as well. He wrote that we should, “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Prayer does not always have to be passive, either. Some of my most sincere prayers have taken place when my “feet were in motion.” I remember many years ago, when I was dog sitting for my vacationing daughter and son-in-law, the dog escaped during a late-night thunderstorm. I chased that dog through several backyards, jumping over fences, bushes, and a host of other items, all while getting drenched and avoiding lightning strikes. The whole time I was praying, both in my mind and out loud at various times, “Lord, please help me get this crazy dog before he gets hit by a car.” The thing is, I was as sincere in my prayer as one can get. And yes, I did finally get the dog back, and I fully suspect that God was behind it. (As fast as that dog was, it had to be divine intervention!)
Seeking the wisdom that is found in Scripture is another great way to increase and maintain one’s spiritual strength. As many people have said over the past 2,000 years, “Stay in God’s Word.” Paul, writing to his young protégé Timothy, reminds us that, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Scripture allows us to stay focused on proper, positive thinking: “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8).
Although the influence of the secular and especially skeptical world tries to subvert our faith, Scripture keeps us on the “straight and narrow” when it comes to proper thinking: “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ” (Colossians 2:8).
Although church does not save anyone, it does offer a person support and encouragement, keeps us accountable to both God and others, provides training in doctrine and ethics, and provides us with the best mentors we will ever have. The author of Hebrews reminds us that we should, “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” (Hebrews 10:24-25). Becoming part of a caring, Bible-believing church is indispensable in the development of one’s spirituality.
Self-reflection is another spiritual practice that results in great benefits for one’s faith. Taking time to ponder where one is on their spiritual journey, and where they want to be, is vitally important. Our ongoing “spiritual inventory” is important.
Taking the time to listen for God’s still voice is not an easy endeavor in our hectic, rushed world, but when a person learns to “be still and listen for God” (Psalm 46:10), he or she has a better chance of learning what God’s will is for their life.
Lastly, the input and guidance from wise and God-honoring people goes a long way in helping us stay on track spiritually and even develop into who God would like us to be. The great King Solomon wrote 3,000 years ago that, “Where there is no guidance people will fall, but an abundance of counsel offers safety” (Proverbs 11:14). We need that “abundant counsel” in our lives.
A strong prayer life, consulting the Hebrew and Christian scriptures, a vibrant church life, self-reflection, and the input of wise and Godly people can take a person’s faith “higher up and deeper in,” as C.S. Lewis once described the goal of spiritual practices. We need to be intentional about developing our spiritual life.
Socrates, who lived four centuries before Christ, said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” As a follower of Christ who believes that life is a gift from God and therefore always worth living, I prefer to say, “the unexamined faith is not worth having.” Our faith, our spiritual life, is too important to neglect. I say, “kick the tires” and “look under the hood” of your faith. See what needs attention and then commit to taking care of it.
Randy Hroziencik, Pastor
First Baptist Church (Kewanee)
The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of The Kewanee Voice.
***This column is sponsored by the Kewanee Ministerial Association
