It’s so easy to jump into the day, speak to others, make decisions, or even react out of frustration, all without first seeking God. Over the years I’ve learned, living an intentional life in Christ begins with putting Him first in everything we do.
Jesus instructed us, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33 NIV). That means before we say a word, make a decision, or move forward in our plans, we take a moment with Him—to ask for His wisdom, His grace, and His guidance.
The Journey of Highs and Lows
If you’ve been walking with Christ for any length of time, you know that the journey isn’t always a straight path uphill. We have those mountaintop moments when we feel close to God, and then we have those valley moments where we feel distant, discouraged, or even stuck. It’s part of our human experience since the fall when Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the garden.
Throughout Scripture, we read about men and women of faith wrestle with the same ups and downs. King David cried out to God from the depths of despair more than once, and the Apostle Paul spoke of his “thorn in the flesh,” yet in every season, God was faithful. And He is faithful to us too, no matter where we find ourselves on this journey.
So, How Do We Grow in Our Faith?
One of the most important questions we can ask ourselves is, “What one thing am I doing to intentionally grow in my relationship with Christ?” We can’t expect spiritual growth to happen by accident.
Just like anything worth having in life, growing in faith takes intentional action.
For some, that might mean making time each day to read the Bible. For others, it could be setting aside time to pray, or maybe getting involved in a local church or a small group. Growth requires us to take a step. So, what’s that one step you can take today? Here are some ideas:
1. Let Go of Past Hurts
It’s helpful to learn to let go of what’s holding us back. Maybe it’s hurt, anger, or disappointment from past experiences. I’ve seen it many times—people move from one season of life to another, but they carry their baggage with them. It could be unresolved pain from a past relationship, a betrayal, or even a personal failure.
We can’t move forward if we keep dragging our past with us. That’s why forgiveness and reconciliation are essential to a healthy faith journey. Ephesians 4:31-32 tells us to
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (NIV).
We must take the time to process those hurts, ask for God’s help in forgiving others (or ourselves), and trust Him with the healing process. When we let go, we free ourselves to fully embrace what God has next.
God can handle it.
2. Trust God with the Big Things
You’ve heard me say it before, but I’ll say it again: Trust God with the big things in your life. We seldom have control over the things that weigh us down—the health crisis, the financial struggles, or the family problems—the big things we can’t fix on our own.
Want to hear the good news? God can handle it. Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (NIV).
He can handle the big stuff if we truly let Him. And when we trust him and release those burdens into His hands, it frees us up to focus on what we can do—loving others, making wise decisions, and growing in our relationship with Him.
Prayer opens our heart so we willing allow God to change us.
3. The Power of Prayer
Speaking of trusting God, let’s talk about prayer. It’s more than just asking God for things. It’s about connecting with Him on a deep, personal level. Prayer brings us into position to allow God to change us from the inside out. It brings clarity when we’re confused, strength when we’re weak, and peace when we’re overwhelmed.
I can’t stress enough how important it is to have an active prayer life. Intentional prayer keeps us rooted in Christ and helps us to weather the storms of life. If you haven’t made prayer a priority, today is the perfect day to start. All you have to do is start talking to God just like you would speak to a close friend.
4. Build a Community of Faith
Another important step is surrounding ourselves with a community of believers who can encourage us, challenge us, and help us grow. We weren’t meant to do this life alone. The Bible tells us not to forsake gathering together with other believers because we need that support.
If you don’t have a church home, I encourage you to find one where God’s Word is central, and you can connect with people who will walk with you through the good times and the tough times. The right community can make all the difference in your spiritual growth.
5. Set Goals for Spiritual Growth
I strongly encourage you to be intentional about setting specific goals for your spiritual growth. It’s easy to have a vague idea of wanting to grow in your faith, but without concrete goals, it’s hard to track progress. Maybe your goal is to spend 15 minutes each day in prayer or to read through the Bible in a year. Or maybe it’s to develop deeper, Christ-centered friendships.
Whatever it is, make it measurable and take steps toward it every day. With God’s help, you’ll see progress, and that advancement will inspire you to keep going.
6. Live with Intentional Faith
So, how do we live with intentional faith? We seek God first, let go of past hurts, trust Him with the big things, pray consistently, build a faith-filled community, and set clear goals for our spiritual growth. It’s a journey, and it takes time, but the rewards are eternal. And as we continue to walk in faith, we will experience more of God’s presence, peace, and purpose in our lives.
Remember, intentional living isn’t about perfection. It’s about making deliberate choices every day to walk closer with Christ and experience His best for our lives.
God bless you, and let’s keep walking this faith journey together!
