Train yourself to be godly
We’re on day 5 of 7 Questions to Start the Year Right, and I’d love to know how it’s going. Are these questions helping you?
Today’s question: What’s one spiritual discipline I could explore this year?
Spiritual disciplines are practices or habits that help you grow closer in your relationship with God. The most common ones include:
- Prayer
- Meditation
- Fasting
- Study
- Simplicity
- Solitude & silence
- Sabbath
- Submission
- Service
- Confession
- Worship
- Guidance
- Celebration
I know that reading through this list can feel like a lot, like a checklist for being the “perfect Christian.” But remember: spiritual disciplines are meant to help you, not burden you. It is not a list of requirements to earn God’s love. Over time, incorporating these practices into your life brings peace, joy, and closeness with God.
Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. – 1 Timothy 4:7-8
Ask the Holy Spirit to show you:
- Is there something you could fast from?
- Is there a way you could simplify your closet, schedule, or diet?
- Can you build in healthy Sabbath habits, so it’s a day dedicated to knowing God and resting?
- Could you begin regularly praying with and for friends?
One spiritual discipline I personally rediscovered this past year is solitude and silence. I now start my daily time with God with 15 minutes of pure silence. Before prayer, worship or Bible reading, I just sit, quiet, with my eyes closed and my heart open to receive from God: no music playing, no words to fill the silence, just God and me.
If you’re interested, Jenny wrote a beautiful reading plan on the YouVersion BibleApp on Solitude and Silence, which I highly recommend.
