Here are some tips on how you can pursue, grow, and rejuvenate your relationship with God so you can find rest, freedom, and joy in these challenging times!
We live in a generation that tells us we need to be rich, famous, and attractive to be happy. Many of us think that when we build our dream house, drive a luxury car, or earn millions, we will find joy and satisfaction. As a result, many of us spend days and years trying to gain wealth, fame, and position, only to find out later that life still feels empty.
The past couple of years has also been very challenging. With unprecedented events unfolding before us, like the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic and political uncertainties that went with it, many of us are dealing with anxiety and depression more than ever.
With all these challenges we face today, it’s easy to get distracted and lose sight of hope and what truly matters—our relationship with God and His beautiful plans for our lives.
Having a relationship with God brings truth, light, and life to our weary hearts. In God, we don’t have to worry about what the world thinks of us. Our value is not based on our achievements and possessions; He loves us for who we are. In Him, we are secure; He is the anchor through any storm we may face. And He is the source of genuine joy and happiness. Only when we pursue Him and His purpose for our lives are we most fulfilled and satisfied.
Here are some ways you can pursue, grow, and rejuvenate your relationship with God so you can find rest, freedom, and joy, especially in these challenging times:
1. Prioritize Your Time with God
For any relationship to grow, we need to devote time and effort. We need to be intentional if we want our relationships to flourish. It’s the same with our relationship with God.
We will never run out of things to do every day, but spending quality time with the Lord is possible if we put Him on top of our priority list.
For many of us, prioritizing God could mean spending time away from our mobile phones, setting aside a portion of our day to read the Bible, worshiping while driving to work, or choosing a quiet spot away from any distractions so we could pray. There’s no formula to it. What matters is that we make room for God and put Him first in everything we do.
2. Always Be In The Spirit of Prayer
Being able to talk to God any time of the day is one of the best privileges we have as His children. Make it a habit to speak to Him while making your morning coffee, running errands, or even while doing laundry. Involve Him in your decisions. Allow Him to speak to your heart and let Him lead the way.
Keeping the communication lines open, being honest, and telling Him everything that’s in your heart are essential steps to maintaining a vibrant prayer life. Remember that He longs to speak with you. He is willing to listen at any time of the day.
3. Read and Study The Bible
God speaks to us and reveals Himself through His Word. As we dig deeper into the Bible, we learn more about His nature and character, are reminded of His precious promises, and begin to understand the things that please Him and break His heart.
Charles Ryrie said, “The Bible is the greatest of all books; to study it is the noblest of all pursuits; to understand it, the highest of all goals.”
The more we seek God, the more we get to know Him. And the more we know Him, the deeper we fall in love with Him.
4. Spend Time with God in Nature
Stepping away from our busy schedules and spending time alone with God in nature allows us to rest, refocus, and fix our eyes on Him.
Jesus often went up to the mountains by Himself to pray and listen to His Heavenly Father. And it’s the same thing we need today. We are constantly bombarded with so much noise from the internet, television, and social media, and we need to get away and take a break so we can listen intently to His voice.
Being in the midst of God’s creation reminds us that we have a big and powerful God and that our challenges and worries are nothing compared to Him. It reminds us of who we are and that we have a good and mighty God whom we can depend on.
5. Keep a Prayer and Gratitude Journal
Writing down your journey with God is a beautiful and powerful habit to develop as you grow deeper in the faith. Journaling your prayers and thanks allows you to look back on how God has been faithful to you in the past and remember that if He has done it before, He will do it again today.
Journaling will also enable you to share these stories with friends, people you meet, and even with the next generation so they, too, will know God’s goodness.
6. Surround Yourself with People Who Are Passionate About God
We all go through ups and downs in our relationship with God, and we need each other to keep the fire of faith burning in our hearts. It is important to constantly surround ourselves with people who love God and are passionate about doing His will.
Godly friends will encourage you when times are tough. They will remind you of who God is and how He has been faithful in the past. Godly friends also love you enough to correct and lead you back when you go off track.
7. Find Resources That Can Help You Nurture Your Relationship with God
Trying new spiritual interfaces and resources can help you contemplate God's beauty, grace, and power in a new manner; watching sermons, listening to Christian music, and subscribing to podcasts.
Elegantly designed Bibles like Mahal Books, which feature beautiful photographs of God's Creation alongside scripture, are also helpful in creating a soothing, reflective reading experience during your quiet times. Whether reading in a coffee shop in the middle of a busy city or relaxing at home.
Take the time to pause and connect with God today. Step away from the hustle & bustle, take a deep breath, spend time with His Word, and marvel at the beauty of His creation. Allow God to breathe into your life and bring the peace, joy, and freedom your heart is longing for.
“Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.” - Psalm 105:4