I have a goal … a big one! But I’m determined to conquer it! Initially, I set my goal in response to some physical pain I was experiencing, which is a great motivator but not one I would recommend. However, it was the pain that caught my attention.
When it comes to your walk with the Lord, it can be the same. You might experience pain as you walk through a difficult time which leads to a gnawing sense of hunger in your heart for more. Regardless of where you find yourself, here are practical ways you can continue to move into a deeper and healthier place in your spiritual walk.
1. SET A GOAL.
Get specific. Ask God to help you shape and mold your goal; then write it down. There is always a new place to go to with God, so aim high!
For example, you can set a goal to memorize a scripture daily for one month to target an area of weakness. Is fear a problem for you? Look up scriptures about fear and start memorizing! A good one to memorize is 2 Timothy 1:7, which says, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” As God reveals things to you, keep a journal and write down what He shows you along the way.
2. DEVELOP A ROUTINE.
A routine can help keep you focused. Here’s what a typical day might look like for me:
WAKE UP: I spend the first minutes of the day thanking the Lord and telling Him how much I love Him.
QUIET TIME: : I try not to be too rigid in how I approach this time. I love coffee, so I make myself a cup and then sit down to spend time with Him. I may journal, study scripture or simply ask the Lord what’s on His heart, and then listen quietly.
LISTEN: Whether I’m getting ready for work or cleaning the house, I use the time to feed my spirit with something healthy like listening to worship music or a Bible teaching.
PRAYER: Talking with God is a key part of my relationship with Him. As my walk has grown, I’ve discovered that prayer is as easy as breathing. Meditating on the Word of God nourishes me, reveals God to me and, if I allow it to, corrects me. Declaring who God is and what He has done for me gives me a spiritual power boost. And because many worship songs are songs of declaration, I sing!
3. PARTNER UP.
Embrace accountability! It’s a lot harder to give up on a goal once you’ve revealed it to someone else. Find someone you trust to encourage and challenge you to reach your goal.Find the balance between growth and rest.
4. FIND THE BALANCE BETWEEN GROWTH AND REST.
In order for muscles to grow, they have to be challenged in a healthy way. With rest and proper nutrition, they become healthier and stronger. Your spiritual growth is similar. So spend time challenging yourself to grow, but also spend time resting in God’s care in order to grow stronger and healthier.
5. MAINTAIN.
Once you see results, it can be easy to back off your routine and get a little lazy. Remember that consistency is the key to maintenance.
FAT BLASTING TIP NO.1
Don’t confuse spiritual hunger with physical hunger. There have been many times when I’ve found myself on a “don’t know what I want to eat, so I’m trying everything” binge. Later, when I took the time to get quiet with the Lord, I’ve realized that deep down I was trying to satisfy my hunger for Him and not food.
FAT BLASTING TIP NO.2
Search your heart. If I’m having a hard time connecting with God, I start to search my heart. Many times I’ve allowed pride to come in somewhere. And so I repent and start running after God. He is always faithful to meet me when I humble myself and turn to Him.
FAT BLASTING TIP NO.3
Fast. This physical discipline is a powerful way to surrender to God and get your heart focused on Him.
By Rebecca Pfortmiller
Rebecca Pfortmiller is a Worship Pastor at Gateway who oversees all vocal training for weekend worship teams. She also mentors Gateway Worship’s amazing female members. Don’t be fooled by her high-heels; she loves boxing and weightlifting and is passionate about health.
