Spiritual growth can be a transformative and rewarding process. Pursuing your faith isn’t always easy but it can change your life in ways you wouldn’t believe. However, balancing between academics, work, and the expected and unexpected aspects of life can stunt spiritual growth. Busy seasons where other obligations take precedence over devoting prayer time or reading spiritual texts (such as the Bible) can cause your faith to become stagnant and purposeless. Spiritual growth is never a linear process, but instead moments of reaching the mountaintop and walking through the valleys. Spiritual growth is not something that comes naturally, but rather a pursuit that can last a lifetime. While growing deeper in your faith seems impossible in the midst of a crazy schedule, there are simple ways to implement spiritual well-being in your daily routine.
Here are tips from young adults and techniques inspired by articles on how to promote spiritual growth in your life:
“I pursue spiritual growth by going to weekly bible study with young adults so that we can work through the bible together. This has helped deepen my faith by gaining new perspectives and insights on the Word,” said Abby Tointon, ‘24. “Begin with what feels natural to you and what calls to you. This year, I gradually began to put my faith into practice by joining a church group with people my age. It’s also reassuring to be around others who are struggling with their faith in the same way you are. By joining my group at church, I have not only developed friendships but a deeper appreciation and connection to my faith. It’s important to remember that getting back into any faith isn’t a competition. Be patient and kind to yourself along the way. -Evelyn Escobedo, Age 22 “True spiritual and religious growth happens when we apply what we learn to our everyday lives and relationships.”- Jai Acharya, Age 19
Go on walks
Surrounding yourself with the natural world helps you to slow down and be in the present moment. Not only is taking a leisurely hike good for your physical health but also your spiritual health. According to author Maggie Spilner, in an article she wrote for Prevention, she states, “Even when the world seems to be spinning out of control, walking can restore your sense of inner peace. It gives you a chance to slow down, to relax, to appreciate yourself and your life. Time seems to expand, creating a sense of spaciousness in the present moment.” (Spilner, 2011) Taking a step back from your daily routine allows you to clear your mind, relieve stress and create space for self-reflection. Going on walks also allows you to be active while eliminating distractions.
Express gratitude
Gratitude is having an intentional attitude of thankfulness. According to Forbes author, Luis E. Rumero explains that “…Proto-Indo-European root, gwere, mean[s]“to praise, to celebrate; to be in contact with the Divine.” In other words, being grateful is equivalent to feeling the presence of the Divine in our lives…Therefore,[gratitude], in its own right, an actual form of spirituality.” (Rumero, 2017) Whether it is writing your thoughts down in a journal or expressing appreciation towards others, having gratitude shifts your outlook on the world, people, and even yourself. Being thankful allows you to see every aspect of life in the best light, which is a form of praise. In the words of Roman philosopher, Marcus Tullius Cicero, “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues but the parent of all others.”
Take a breath
Whether it’s designating downtime or taking a step back from a stressful moment, taking a breath is important to spiritual health. We cannot be connected to our spirit if we are constantly buried beneath the weight of work and daily life. Doing this helps our minds to reset and reevaluate our focus on what’s truly important. Finding time to take deep breaths also promotes physical and mental health, especially when you are in a state of anxiousness. One of the best breathing methods called 4-7-8 Breathing was created by Doctor Andrew Weil from the University of Arizona.
Here are the steps to practice 4-7-8 breathing:
- Place one hand on your belly and the other on your chest.
- Count to four as you take a deep, slow breath from your belly.
- Hold your breath for seven counts.
- Breathe out for eight counts. Try to get all the air out of your lungs by the time you count to eight.
- Repeat three to seven times or until you feel calm.
- Take a few minutes to sit and feel the sensations in your body and mind before returning to your day.
Read words of wisdom
Finding time to read spiritual texts creates room for spiritual growth as well as keeping in touch with personal faith and beliefs. Not reading the word is like taking an exam without preparation or reading the textbook. Even if you do not come from a religious background, being receptive to others’ thoughts and ideas can give a different perspective towards our significance and point us in the right direction when we feel lost. Many struggle with implementing this in a daily routine, especially after a long day. However, Neuroscientists recommend a minimum of 15 minutes a day to promote brain health as well as mental health. Using that 15 minutes a day to dive into words of wisdom is a simple way to make monumental steps in spiritual growth.
Intentionalize quiet time
It is rare that we have a moment of silence. We are constantly trying to fill the void with music, podcasts, videos, and social media. According to Statista, the average person listens to 26.9 hours of music weekly (approximately over 3 hours and 50 minutes per day). We cannot expect to be connected to our faith if we are choosing to block out a spiritual presence, whether we realize it or not. Internationalizing quiet time is an invitation to be receptive to spiritual development. This can also help with finding time to pray. Take advantage of long commutes by driving in silence. This can be uncomfortable and challenging at first, however, you may realize that blasting music, tuning into the radio, or passing time with a podcast can distract from moments to listen to a spiritual voice. While praying is crucial to developing spiritually, so is meditating in a quiet space. You cannot create a strong relationship with someone if you are always the one talking. In the same way, lean into silence, listen and maybe you will get a response.
Stay connected
Stay connected to meaningful and purposeful relationships. This could be family relationships, friendships, and religious groups. Having someone to hold you accountable for your spiritual development can help you stay on track. Growing deeper spiritually doesn’t seem as daunting when you have relationships that support your faith walk and spiritual growth. I have personally found that being in a community has helped me to spiritually grow and encourage me when times are hard to do so. They can also point you in the right direction when you are lost and don’t know how to take the next step. We are designed for fellowship and are made for walking alongside each other.
