A strong relationship with God transforms our ability to weather all that life throws our way. It brings an eternal perspective and purpose to everything that we do when we are trusting His presence and intervention in our daily lives.
Consider all the ups and downs you can face, even in one day. We aren’t emotionless robots when we face challenges in our relationships or get bad news at work. A deep relationship with God provides companionship through all of it and a sense of stability because He is a rock and stable presence in our lives.
We discover who God is by studying the Bible. We see how he is faithful through the many lives of the figures we find there. We deepen our relationship with God by discovering who He is in those pages, meditate on it, and sit in prayer with Him.
The Foundation of a Relationship with God
- The Nature of God’s Love: God’s unconditional love for us is woven into the very fiber of His being. God is a good God and His character and moral compass is the standard. We are his creation made for good works and for His purposes which are good and excellent. He can’t help but uphold those things because it is who He is. (Romans 5:8, 1 John 4:9-10)
- Our Identity in Christ: It’s important to keep in mind that we discover this by seeing His love for us as it is displayed through the life and sacrifice of Christ. We are given a new identity by His work on the cross and therefore we are given new sight, a transformed mind. (2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 2:20)
- Communication through Prayer: Not only do we seek knowledge about Who God is in his scripture but we spend time with him by prayer. Prayer is a humble act in itself because we come to him and by it we are called to make are requests known to Him. (Philippians 4:6-7)
Practical Steps to Deepen Your Relationship
How do you manage your time? then think about how you manage your relationships? Spending time with God is no different. If someone is important to you, you seek out time to spend with them and you do it. Consider what makes relationships rich as you contemplate the practical steps below.
- Daily Prayer and Reflection: Set aside time for intentional prayer and listening to God (Matthew 6:6).
- Reading and Meditating on Scripture: Immerse yourself in the Word to better understand God’s heart (Joshua 1:8, Psalm 1:2).
- Focus your Lifestyle of Worship: We all worship. We are made for it. It’s the object of our worship that makes the difference. (John 4:23-24).
- Time in Silence and Solitude: Consider the pace at which you live. Slow down, remove the noise and spend time to hear God’s voice (Luke 5:16).
Build Faith through Trust and Surrender
There are a few character traits and beliefs worth mentioning to work out. In a world of cynics and critics, keep the encouraging presence of God at the front of your mind and the value of exercising your faith and trust in him through surrender.
- Trust God’s Plan: Learn what it means to trust God and then act in such a way in every situation (Proverbs 3:5-6).
- Surrender Control: Let go of the need to control everything. Especially the things you just can’t control. (Matthew 16:24).
- Practice Obedience: Obedience is showing trust. Again, consider what or who you have obeyed in the past. Was it worthy of your trust? God is far more worthy of our trust to the extent of obedience to Him (John 14:23).
Overcoming Challenges in Your Relationship with God
- Dealing with Doubt: Having doubts is what makes you human. We often rely on what we see and can confirm. Remember that God is gracious to us in our doubts. Keep this in mind as you ask God. Work through your doubts and learn to surrender them to the Lord as you seek his guidance. (James 1:6).
- Spiritual Dryness: Remember that there is a season for everything. It is in the dry seasons that we discover just how quenching water is to our thirst. Don’t lose heart. Unpack the vast truths of God’s character in the seasons where you cannot feel his presence or see his work. (Psalm 42:1-2).
- Forgiveness and Repentance: We learn what how to forgive because he first forgave us. God extended his hand out to us in spite of our sin. Remember He made a way so that we would not parish. (1 John 1:9).
Find a Supportive Spiritual Community
- The Role of Fellowship: Connecting with others who can encourage and support your walk with God is fundamental to walking closer with God. Mature believers who have walked with God longer than you can encourage and inspire your trust in the Lord. (Hebrews 10:24-25).
- Accountability Partners: It makes all the difference to have a brother or sister walking the same path with you. Find the community that will hold you accountable and knows the real you. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).
- Joining a Church or Small Group: Look for a bible believing Church that studies the word of God and encourages your growth in the spirit. (Acts 2:42).
Incorporating God into Every Aspect of Life
- Making God the Center of Your Decisions: This is tough because it’s so easy to just breeze through life claiming to be a believer and never consult or ask the Lord for direction and waiting for him to answer. Don’t be afraid of the pause and silence. Seek wisdom from other believers as well as you look for answers to specific decisions you need to make (Proverbs 16:3).
- Living a Life of Gratitude and Service: Using your life to serve others as an act of love toward God will keep him at the center of your life. Do everything as if working for the Lord and not for men. (Matthew 25:40, Colossians 3:17).
- Recognizing God’s Presence in Your Daily Life: Becoming more aware of God’s presence in the ordinary moments of life is also key. Pray constantly and live in the present moment with a mindset of gratitude that everything we have is a blessing from the Lord. (Psalm 139:7-10).
Remember the foundation of your relationship with God lies in His nature and not your own. He is the initiator and He LOVES you! Spend time with him daily! Meditate on his word and prayer all the time! Surrender to Him and trust Him and keep in mind that He is gracious to use even in our doubts. With practice you can incorporate making decisions with Him every day of your life.
Start implementing one or two steps today and remember God has given everything you need to walk with Him every day of your life.
What are ways you’ve drawn closer to God? Leave a comment.
I love to read books about the Christian life and practice by other believers. My latest read is “Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers” by Dan Ortlund
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