Exploring The Path To A Stronger Faith

Faith is like a muscle – the more you use it, the stronger it gets. But how do you exercise your faith?

One way is to pray. Prayer is one of the most powerful tools we have to connect with God, but it's often one we tend to ignore. Praying will build your faith and help you keep your eyes focused on Him, even in times of crisis. When you don't know what to say, pray what's on your heart, and know that the Holy Spirit is interceding for you.

Another way to strengthen your faith is to meditate. Meditation is a spiritual discipline where you close out the world and focus your mind and heart on prayer and Bible study. It's a time to reflect on God's attributes and interactions in the world, based on what you learn in Scripture.

You can also strengthen your faith by reading the Bible. The Bible is the ultimate source of comfort, especially in a troubled world. As you immerse yourself in God's word, you will find your anxieties start to calm. The more familiar you become with Scripture, the less worried you'll feel about what's going on around you.

Another way to grow your faith is to surround yourself with people of faith. Our faith can be influenced by those around us, so it's important to spend time with other believers. Talking to another believer about your questions and what you're learning from Scripture can strengthen your faith.

Finally, you can grow your faith by putting it into action. Faith without works is dead. When you put the words of the Bible into practice, you will see your life change, and your faith will grow in the process.

Pray and meditate on God's word

Prayer and meditation on God's word are powerful tools for strengthening our faith and drawing us closer to Him. Here are some ways we can pray and meditate on God's word effectively:

Understanding Biblical Meditation

The Bible encourages us to meditate on God's word, but what does this really mean? Biblical meditation is not about emptying our minds, as practised in some Eastern traditions. Instead, it involves actively engaging our minds to understand and apply God's Word in our lives. It is like "chewing" on the truths in God's Word, savouring and digesting them before allowing them to nourish and strengthen us. This process involves four key steps: remembering, contemplating, internalising, and applying.

Remembering God's Word

The first step is to fill our minds with God's Word. We need to read, study, and memorise Scripture, taking time to understand it in context. Psalm 1:2 tells us that the blessed, fruitful, and righteous person delights in the Word of the Lord and "meditates on his law day and night." This meditation is constant ("day and night") and focused solely on God's Word. Joshua 1:8 instructs us to keep God's Word "on your lips" and to meditate on it continually. By doing so, we allow God's Word to transform our lives and guide us towards obedience and prosperity.

Contemplating God's Truths

Meditation involves serious contemplation or reflection on God's truths. We need to think about the significance of God's Word and how it relates to our lives and the lives of others. This requires time and effort. We must withdraw from distractions and fix our thoughts on God and His Word. Psalm 119:99 says, "I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes." By contemplating God's Word, we gain a deeper understanding of His ways and wisdom.

Internalising God's Message

Meditation is a way of internalising God's Word, taking it deep into our hearts. As we read, speak, and memorise Scripture, the Holy Spirit works within us to guide, teach, purify, and transform us from within. Philippians 4:8-9 says, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." By internalising God's Word, we allow it to shape our thoughts and actions.

Applying God's Truths to Our Lives

The ultimate goal of meditation is to apply God's Word to our lives. We must ask ourselves how we can put God's truths into practice. Psalm 19:14 captures this idea: "May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." When we apply God's Word, our meditation becomes pleasing to God because it results in our transformation. As we internalise and obey His Word, our faith deepens, and we grow stronger in our relationship with Him.

Practical Tips for Meditative Prayer

• Create a quiet space: Set aside a specific time and place each day where you can be alone and uninterrupted. Remove distractions and focus solely on God.
• Start with prayer: Begin your meditation with prayer, asking God to help you understand and apply His Word. Pray for Him to draw you closer, open your eyes to His truth, and transform you through your meditation.
• Choose a portion of Scripture: Select a small section of Scripture to meditate on. Read it slowly and intentionally, thinking about its meaning and relevance to your life. Study it in depth, take notes, ask questions, and memorise it.
• Apply it to your life: Reflect on how you can apply the Scripture to your life in practical ways. Ask God to help you follow through in obedience. Pray for His guidance and strength to live out His Word.

Benefits of Meditative Prayer

Meditative prayer offers several benefits that strengthen our faith:

• Deepens our understanding: By spending time in God's Word and meditating on it, we gain a deeper understanding of His truths and how they apply to our lives.
• Nourishes and strengthens our soul: As we "chew" on God's Word and apply its truths, it nourishes and strengthens our soul, drawing us closer to Him.
• Guides and transforms us: Through meditation, the Holy Spirit guides and teaches us, purifying and transforming us from within. We allow God's Word to shape our thoughts, actions, and character.
• Increases our faith and trust: As we see God's faithfulness and provision in our lives, our faith and trust in Him grow stronger. We learn to fully rely on Him and live without worry, stress, anxiety, fear, and doubt.
• Improves our prayer life: Daily prayer invites God into our lives and helps us establish a deeper trust. Our faith is strengthened as we release the power of prayer, communicating with God formally or informally, constantly reaching out to Him.

Trust in God's plan

Trusting in God's plan can be challenging, especially when life throws curveballs your way. Here are some ways to help you strengthen your faith and trust in God's plan:

Meditate on God's Word:

Meditation is more than just clearing your mind; it's a spiritual discipline. Find a quiet place, grab your Bible, and focus your mind and heart on God's Word. Memorize passages, study them in-depth, and reflect on how they apply to your life. This practice will help you internalize God's promises and truths, giving you a solid foundation to trust in His plan.

Pray without Ceasing:

Prayer is a powerful tool to strengthen your faith and trust in God's plan. Pour out your heart to God, share your burdens, fears, and worries with Him. Pray with expectation, believing that He hears you and will provide for your needs. Don't forget to also pray with thanksgiving, rejoicing in His faithfulness and the blessings He has given you. Make prayer a constant part of your daily routine, and your faith will grow stronger.

Study and Obey God's Word:

Reading the Bible is essential, but it's also crucial to understand and obey it. As you read, ask God for wisdom and guidance to apply His Word to your life. Start with a small portion of Scripture, meditate on it, and turn it into a prayer. Find a good study Bible or use commentaries to help you understand the context and deeper meanings. As you obey God's Word, your faith will be strengthened, and you'll see His plan unfold in your life.

Surround Yourself with Faithful Believers:

The company you keep greatly influences your faith journey. Seek out like-minded believers who can encourage and support you. Find a mentor or a small group of faithful friends who can pray with you, provide accountability, and help you stay focused on God's plan. Their faith will rub off on you, and together, you can grow stronger in your trust in God.

Share Your Testimony:

Sharing your faith journey and how God has worked in your life is a powerful way to strengthen your trust in Him. When you share your testimony, you're declaring God's faithfulness and proclaiming His goodness to others. This act of proclamation reinforces your own faith and helps you see God's plan more clearly. Share your story with others, and don't be afraid to brag about what God has done in your life!

Exercise Your Faith through Actions:

Faith without works is dead. As your faith grows, put it into action. Look for opportunities to serve others, to share the gospel, and to be the hands and feet of Jesus. When you step out in faith and obedience, you'll see God move in mighty ways. Your faith will be strengthened as you see His plan of redemption and transformation unfold through your actions.

Read the Bible

The Bible is a book intended to produce faith in you. At the end of the Gospel of John, we read, "These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name" (John 20:31). When you read the scriptures, you are taking in the truth about what God is like and what He has done. It is a testimony to His character and work in this world.

• The Bible is a source of God's Word, and His Word goes hand in hand with trusting God and praying. When you read His promises in the Bible, you can have great faith that they will come to pass.
• Reading the Bible allows the Holy Spirit to bring to your remembrance exactly what you need to apply to your daily situations.
• The Bible is full of instructions and commands for every area of our lives, including relationships, money, sexuality, temptation, worry, anger, and fear. When you put the words of the Bible into practice, you will see your life slowly start to change, and your faith will grow in the process.
• The Bible is the ultimate source of comfort, especially in a troubled world. The Psalms, where King David cried out to the Lord over and over, can be especially calming. As you immerse yourself in God's word, you will find your anxieties start to calm. The more familiar you become with the Scripture, the less worried you feel about what is going on around you.
• The Bible is a powerful tool to help you resist the devil. When trouble comes along and you push against it by reading, meditating on, and speaking God’s Word, your faith grows stronger and stronger, bigger and better than before.

How to Read the Bible

• Commit to reading Scripture for at least five minutes each day. There are many devotional apps, books, and online resources that can increase your understanding of the Bible. You can even listen while you drive or cook dinner. The book of Psalms or John would be a great place to begin.
• Find one verse to meditate on each day and turn it into a prayer. Think about all it means. Be sure to read the verse in context to better understand its true meaning.
• If you are new to the Bible, consider starting with the SOAP method of Bible study.
• Pray before you read, asking God to speak to you through His Word, giving you the knowledge to understand what He is laying on your heart.
• Keep a journal with your Bible at all times. When something you read "speaks" to you or "tugs" on your heart, write it down.
• Make a rule for yourself: no Pinterest, no Facebook, and no TV until you've read for 30 minutes a day. God's Word has to be a priority in our lives if we want to strengthen our faith.
• Once you establish a habit, gradually increase the amount you read.
• Look for promises or descriptions of who God is. Read His promises, and then have great faith that they will come to pass. Pray them over your life. In God’s Word, you will find strength, hope, love, peace, and joy. You will also find promises of provision and instructions to keep you away from sin and rebuke the devil. You will gain wisdom, knowledge, and understanding in your life through His instructions.
• Read Matthew 17:20, and then believe that faith can move mountains. Read Philippians 4:19 and have faith that God will supply all your needs. Read Malachi 3:10 and believe that if God is first in your finances, He will pour out blessings for you until they overflow. Read Ephesians 6:10-17 and know that you have The Armor of God; what can possibly come against you?

Exercise and take care of your body

God created humans with two interconnected parts: body and soul. Both are important, but the apostle Paul points out that spiritual training is of higher priority. In 1 Timothy 4:7–9, Paul writes:

> Train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

However, this does not mean that bodily training is unimportant. In fact, bodily training can be a pathway toward deeper love and joy in our heavenly Father. Here are some ways to incorporate bodily training into your spiritual practice:

• Steward your body: Keeping your body strong will enable you to keep going, even as you age. Honour your Creator by caring for the body entrusted to you through exercise and eating nutritious food.
• Serve others: A strong and healthy body can help you serve others more easily. For example, you can use the strength of your arms to lift babies or children, or to shovel snow for an elderly neighbour.
• Keep your brain awake and alert: Regular exercise can help you continue to be a student of God’s word, enabling you to grow and learn through regular study and meditation.
• Evangelise: Regular exercise programs give you easy ways to meet people, establish relationships, and share your faith.
• Delight yourself in God: Exercise can be a means of fighting to keep the right perspective in life. As some of the haze disappears through a brisk walk or bike ride, meditate on the promises of God’s word.

Surround yourself with a supportive community

Surrounding yourself with a supportive community is an important step in strengthening your faith. The people you spend time with will have a profound impact on your beliefs and your ability to trust in God's plan. Seek out individuals who share your faith or are on a similar journey of spiritual growth. These individuals will be able to provide you with encouragement, accountability, and a fresh perspective when you need it most.

The Bible says in Proverbs 13:20, "Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble." This principle applies to all areas of life, including your faith. If you spend time with people who are wise in their faith, you will learn from them and grow wiser yourself. On the other hand, if you surround yourself with individuals who are doubtful or critical of your beliefs, you may find your own faith faltering.

It is important to find a church community that aligns with your beliefs and provides a supportive environment for your spiritual growth. A good church will offer grace, love, and acceptance while also helping you become more like Jesus. Attending church services, joining small groups, and participating in church activities can all help you develop deeper connections with like-minded individuals.

In addition to finding a church community, consider seeking out a mentor or spiritual advisor. This person can be a pastor, a mature Christian friend, or even a professional Christian counsellor. They can provide you with guidance, support, and accountability as you navigate the ups and downs of life.

By surrounding yourself with a supportive community, you will find it easier to stay focused on your faith and maintain a positive outlook, even during difficult times. This community will help you stay grounded in your beliefs and provide a safe space for you to ask questions, share your struggles, and celebrate your triumphs.

Remember, faith is a personal journey, but it is also a communal one. We were created to be in relationship with God and with each other. By surrounding yourself with a supportive community, you will not only strengthen your own faith but also contribute to the growth of others.

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