How to Destroy a Beautiful Marriage

Marriage is an institution ordained by God, meant to mirror God's covenantal love for us, as was shown in Ephesians 5:25-32. But like everything of value, it becomes worthless if not handled properly. This post will delve into how to ruin a perfect marriage not because we want to fail but to point out what to avoid in building a healthy, Christ-centered union.

1. Stop Communicating

If you want to sabotage your marriage, don't communicate openly. Don't express your feelings. Don't show affection. Bottling up frustrations. Proverbs 18:21 says, "The tongue has the power of life and death." No communication kills trust and intimacy. The foundation for a great marriage is open and loving communication.

2. Be Selfish

A surefire way to kill your marriage is to make sure your own desires are met before and above the needs of your spouse. The scriptures say in Philippians 2:3-4 to "value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." Selfishness depletes the mutual sacrifice necessary to maintain a relationship. Choose selflessness.

3. Ignore God's Design

You have to remove God's purpose for marriage, and then you will have removed the very foundation of it. Marriage is more than a human contract; it's a covenant before God. Genesis 2:24 says, "That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh." The absence of God at the center loosens the bond. You align your marriage to His Word to make it stronger.

4. Harbor Unforgiveness

Harbor grudges, and bitterness will be the death of your relationship. Ephesians 4:31-32 reminds us to "get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger. forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Forgiveness is healing and unifying. Without it, even the smallest hurts fester into division.

5. Neglect Intimacy

To destroy a marriage, neglect physical and emotional intimacy. 1 Corinthians 7:3-5 reminds us that love and care in marriage is to be mutual. Intimacy isn't just physical; it's connecting on all levels. To nurture your marriage, invest in these connections intentionally.

6. Focus on Faults

Constant nagging of your spouse is a great way to tear them down. Jesus said in Matthew 7:3-5 to take the "plank in your own eye" out before judging others. Build up your spouse with encouragement instead of tearing them down with negativity.

7. Be Unequally Yoked

A mismatch in spiritual priorities creates a conflict. 2 Corinthians 6:14 says, "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers." Not only initial choices but maintaining unity in faith throughout the marriage is what is implied here. Pray together, worship together, and let Christ be that common ground.

8. Allow Outside Influences to Control You

Let other voices be the voice of your marriage, and division won't be far behind. Genesis 2:24 reminds us to leave and cleave-to make your spouse the top priority above all others. Set healthy boundaries with family, friends, and work, ensuring nothing eclipses your commitment.

9. Stop Praying Together

Prayerlessness is a silent killer of marriages. James 5:16 says, "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." In prayerlessness, couples lose access to God's power to sustain their relationship. Pray daily for wisdom, love, and strength in your marriage.

Conclusion: Building a Marriage that Lasts

And the secret to not messing up a marriage is rather simple: just do the opposite of all of the above. Devote yourself to godly communication, selflessness, forgiveness, intimacy, encouragement, spiritual unity, and prayer. Marriage requires work, but with Christ at the center, it's a beautiful reflection of God's love.

Let us, therefore, learn from what not to do and deliberately construct marriages that honor God, bless our families, and inspire others. A perfect marriage is not one with no challenges but one in which both partners choose to grow together in love, grace, and faith.

Can a Loving God Punish?

 

An inferno representation of wrath and hell

No, it's not the nature of God to hit back when we do wrong. He answers wrong with love.

I know what you are thinking right now: what about Sodom and Gomorrah, what about Uzaiah, what about the foot of the mountain when Moses found them worship calf and 3000 died? I will tell you; Moses's misrepresentation of God made him the first Jewish terrorist.  He ordered those men to be killed. 

Now tell me, between the idol worshipers and the killers, who was the sinner?

That's a great illustration of religion. It makes you think you are reacting on God's behalf while in real sense, you are doing your own stuff your own way.

Love, not wrath 

God always reacts with love, in fact, He proactive with love. When Adam disobeyed and found out his nakedness, God, who must have been angry in our minds, devised clothing for him. In the time of Isaiah when the whole world was sinful, God said, " Come, let's talk. Even if your sins are red as crimson, I will make you as white as snow ". 

When the stench of sin was nolonger bearable, he sent His only son to save us from the punishment for sin and the power of sin.

Galatians 3:13 NLT

[13] But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” 

https://bible.com/bible/116/gal.3.13.NLT

The old testament writers wrote about God's wrath because they didn't understand him through the lens of Christ. Though they were inspired by the Holy Spirit to write, they had liberty to pen their own thoughts, which were shaped by the torrah and traditions. They didn't understand the God whose kindness leads to repentance. 

My Bible tells me that in his forbearance He continually let it slide until Christ came( Romans 3:25). All the punishment that was due to us was heaped on Jesus on the cross. And still on that, God did not punish Jesus as a person, but as sin personified. 

Romans 8:3 KJV

[3] For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

https://bible.com/bible/1/rom.8.3.KJVThat's to show that God doesn't have a problem with the sinner, but with sin itself. To save the sinner he dealt with the issue of sin completely by making his son sin itself so that we may become not just righteous, but righteousness itself in him. (2CORINTHIANS 5:21)

That's his perfect will, that we'd all be saved through Christ. Instead of lashing out, God points us to the one who can save us, the one He punished on our behalf, the one who took our weaknesses. 

To sum it all, a loving God doesn't and can't punish. Poverty is not a slap from God, nor is sickness, drought, war, or any bad tidings. The wages of sin are death, not any of the above, and Christ Jesus died on our behalf, taking away the charges that stood against us.

Colossians 2:13-15 NLT

[13] You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. [14] He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. [15] In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.

https://bible.com/bible/116/col.2.13-15.NLT

Don't anticipate God's wrath and punishment, anticipate all the riches in his glory!

Purpose and Meaning: Making Sense of Midlife

What if midlife was a can-full of candy and worms and all crap, would we still find meaning in it?

The Midlife Crisis

Midlife, for some, feels a lot like teetering on the edge of a cliff, staring down at all that's passed by, looking out with an uncertain gaze toward what's ahead. 

The energy of youth is waning, and the quest for purpose grows louder and more insistent. Quite possibly, you will catch yourself wondering, "What am I really here for?"

The Midlife Drift

Imagine you are driving down the road, windows down, music on high. It feels great, enjoying all the things you're seeing, hearing, doing—all very new at every turn. 

But after each mile, the feeling of excitement starts to fade away, and one becomes a bit lost. That thrill starts to fade, and one is hit with the realization that maybe they are no longer headed in the right direction. 

That's what midlife can feel like. Where did those goals—set up in your 20s and 30s—get you? The kids grow up, careers level out, and life's daily grind becomes more and more visible.

An Unexpected Wake-Up Call

I recall a friend, whom we'll call only by her first name, Sue. Shortly after her 45th birthday, all was well: she was successful in her career, had her loving family, and a beautiful home, yet something was missing. 

She was just feeling an emptiness inside like her life was half there and not very fulfilling. She looked at a pile of old photo albums one day and reminisced. 

The good times seemed richer and full of texture then; she knew that she'd been busy ticking the boxes life threw her way, but inwardly, she hadn't really stopped to think: "What does it all mean?

The story of Sue is not unique. In fact, it's a chapter in many of our lives. General feeling of drift, which provides the sense of disorientation and, "We don't know what we're doing here and we don't know where to go from here." 

But this can be the beginning of something so powerful it can be unimaginable—purpose.

Meaning-making in the midst of midlife usually happens when one must stop, look back, and recollect how much life really matters and redefine his or her life. 

Scary? 

Definitely. 

Yet at this midlife mark, there is a chance to create a new definition of what life can really mean, to reframe it. As written 

Ecclesiastes 3:1, New Living Translation (NLT),

 "For everything, there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven." 

Literally, midlife is a season—a time not for the end of the road but for steering into what will bring sweet joy and satisfaction.

A Whole New Perspective

Imagine that midlife is like turning to the second chapter in this book called life. You were learning things about yourself and the world in those first chapters, and now is the time to really apply the knowledge. 

The best time to recalibrate your values and align actions in the pursuit of those values is at this moment. What stirs your passion? What will be your legacy? Those can be really big questions, but at the essence, it is what fulfills purpose.

Well, for Sue, she chose to lighten her professional load and become a volunteer at a shelter. It wasn't glamorous, but it brought her deep fulfillment. 

Her evenings, once filled with endless work emails, were now spent mentoring young women who were facing some of the same hurdles she overcame.

The Power of Faith

Another friend, Mike, got mugged by a situation much like mine. He had spent decades climbing the greasy pole, reached the top, looked around, and—so to speak—wondered, "Is this it?" 

Aching to fix the hollowness in his soul, he began to find solace in his spirituality. He seized Psalm 138:8: "The Lord will work out his plans for my life— for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever."

It was then that Mike started to realize that his purpose was not all about success in a career. He focused on lighting his community and, in return, started a small group at his church for others to find their way toward living a life of purpose. 

Right away, it changed him and those around him.

Embrace the Journey

But finding meaning from midlife is not something that really involves a great revelation, a 180-degree turn, or doing something suddenly and really different. 

It's just about those changes that can really come in small but very deliberate steps as you move forward to live a life that you believe in, one that really expresses your deeply cherished principles. 

Embrace this season as a journey, and not the destination. Remember, you are not out in this thing alone; plenty have walked this path and gained a more fundamental, insightful sense of purpose amidst the voyage.

Ponder about it, from where you have come and where you think you are going: 

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." —Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)

Midlife can be the most meaningful time of your life so far—a time to refocus, find new meaning in things you love to do, and re-envision what's possible in the second half of life.

Scripture References:

Ecclesiastes3:1 LEB

Psalms 138:8 LEB

Jeremiah 29:11 LEB

Forgiveness and Reconciliation: Reconciling with the Past

You will learn to live a happier life if you learn to forgive and forget

Forgiveness

This is the source of very deep actions of forgiveness and reconciliation; they heal our souls and repair the fragmented relationships that have been disintegrated. These processes are not easy, which requires a high degree of courage and humility. In solving these ruptured relationships, the path requires that we understand true forgiveness and right the wrongs committed. The process is difficult, but at the same time, it is worthy in experiencing inner peace and spiritual growth.

Our Power to Forgive

Forgiveness is an action of power—freeing us from being enslaved by our own bitterness and resentment. Not necessarily forgetting the wrongs done to us, but choosing to let go of their claim on our hearts—in an act of the will.

Consider a lady called Sarah, who draped the albatross of her bitterness against her father for many years. He had left the family when she was but a small girl, leaving her feeling abandoned and all alone. That abandonment hurt had trailed her into adulthood, poisoning her relationships and robbing her of joy. Every time she would try to get on with her life, the bitterness pulled her back again, shining the spotlight on those ugly deep scars from her childhood.

One day, Sarah attended a church service where the preacher was talking about the power of forgiveness. 

His message pierced her heart and she suddenly realized that her angry feelings did not hurt her father at all; it only killed her inside. 

Sarah prayed that she receives the grace to forgive, not her father for his wrongful deeds towards her, but to free herself from the bitterness that had taken control of her. 

As she whispered some prayer of forgiveness, a weight lifted from her shoulders, and for the first time in years, she found true peace.

The Bible underlines that liberating power of forgiveness in

 Ephesians 4:31-32 (NLT)

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you."* The journey of forgiveness for Sarah had enabled her to move on, no longer held hostage by the pain in her past.

The Road to Reconciliation

While forgiveness is a personal act, reconciliation is a joint effort. It involves the rebuilding of trust and restoration of relationships gone bad. 

Reconciliation is a process that calls for humility and patience and often the will to confront unpleasant truths.

Consider the example from the Bible of Joseph. While his brothers sold him off into slavery, he spent years being away from home, undergoing so much hardship, and led a completely different life. 

Even when his brothers wrongly sold him into slavery, Joseph did not take revenge on them when he finally rose to a position of power within the government of Egypt. 

He tested the hearts of the brothers, to see whether they had changed or not, and after he was convinced that they were truly repentant, Joseph revealed himself to them, embraced them, and gave them his forgiveness.

In Genesis 50:20-21 (NLT), Joseph tells his brothers', "You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.  21  No, don't be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children." So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them.

Joseph did not immediately set on a reconciliatory journey. It took him some internalization that probably God would heal the wounds of the past. 

Joseph, for giving his brothers and reconciling with them, did not just restore his family; he eventually saved them from the famine.

 Reconciling With the Past

Reconciling with the past is an important step that has to be made on the journey to forgiveness and reconciliation—to acknowledge the pain, seek healing, and decide to walk on with love and grace. 

It does not mean that the past has been erased or that the wrongs, by some magical process, are now right, but it does mean that now no longer has the past power over our present and future.

When we reflect on the stories of Sarah and Joseph, we realize that forgiveness and reconciliation are very important to our relationship with God. 

They are the most faithful of acts: the incidents that challenge us and call us to embrace God's plan and transforming power, that even in the agony of it all, it could result in healing and growth.

In 2 Corinthians 5:18 (NLT), Paul reminds us, "And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him."

 Just as God has reconciled us to Himself through Christ, we are called to pursue reconciliation in our relationships.

Conclusion

Forgiveness and reconciliation are not easy, yet they are part and parcel of our well-being and spiritual growth. In the act of forgiving and striving for reconciliation with others, the deepest healing and peace will come. 

It is painful, but what freedom of the past and the future that you gain with every step is so much a benefit.

As you consider your personal history, think about areas where you might need to forgive or be reconciled. Pray for empowerment to make the necessary steps, believing that God will guide your process. 

Remember, although the past shapes us, it does not define us. Forgiveness and reconciliation can bring freedom that will enable us to move on—to live in the fullness of God's grace.

3 Steps to Forgiveness and Reconciliation

 

Of the deadliest poisons, one is bitterness, because it eats away at the heart leaving in its wake broken relationships, pain and spiritual decay. But you must be asking yourself, "can I really unshackle myself from the bondage of acrimony?

You are not alone( not good news though). there are so many others just like you,strugglung with anger, unresolved issues, and deep-seated hurt that create a barricade of resentment, which separates you from others and even from experiencing the very essence of God.

Good news: there is a cure, which you have been avoiding. like the sour-tasting pills that make you puke but ultimately ease your pain, you will only find healing within forgiveness and reconciliation.

The Burden of Bitterness

Holding on to grudges is like carrying a heavy load that only gets heavier with time. The more you harbor piqueness in your heart, the more you feel the need to revenge. The truth is, bitterness is not just an emotional burden: it seeps into every aspect of your life, affecting your relationships, physical and mental health, and spiritual well-being.

In Hebrews 12:15, the Bible warns:

Hebrews 12:15

The Voice

15 Watch carefully that no one falls short of God’s favor, that no well of bitterness springs up to trouble you and throw many others off the path.

Bitterness defiles both the wronged person and also those around them. It's like a fart, that makes the air foul for those in the vicinity though it only came from one person. But this one does not lead to a mere twitching of the nose: it leads to anger, malice revenge, and separates us from those we care about.

Forgiveness

Forgiveness is not about justifying wrongs done to us or even forgetting the pain. There is another word for that. Instead, it's about releasing yourself from the grip of anger and resentment. 

You don't have to be a prisoner of your own feelings all your life. You don't have to carry someone in your heart for decades. You don't have to keep poisoning yourself till thy kingdom come.

Forgiveness is an act of grace, a decision to let go of the need for revenge, and entrust justice to God. Imagine one day without that lump in your throat when you think of a certain person, won't it be great? This life is too short to allow yourself to languish in enmity.

Let God do the heavy-lifting while you enjoy life to the fullest. If you ever feel like you have been subjugated, justice belongs to God. Instead of planning how to get at the other person, plan on a night out with friends. You can even invite the one who wronged you and start working things out.

This is what Christ Jesus taught:

Matthew 6:14-15

The Voice

Jesus says to declare forgiveness of those who have wronged us. This is because forgiveness of other people emulates God’s forgiveness of us.

14 If you forgive people when they sin against you, then your Father will forgive you when you sin against Him and when you sin against your neighbor. 15 But if you do not forgive your neighbors’ sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Forgiveness starts with a conscious decision. A decision to let go of hard feelings and to embrace the brighter side of life. The results may not happen overnight. The pain may linger, but each step brings toward healing.

Don't hesitate to take that step toward a better you. Don't stop at what someone did to you. Don't be halted by your feelings, which may try to steer you in another direction. 

Forgiveness unchains you from bitterness and opens the door to reconciliation.

Reconciliation

Forgiveness is individual, but reconciliation is mutual. It requires the input of both parties. One party extends grace and the other receives. Sometimes it's not about who did wrong, or who failed, it's about forging a new path and putting the past behind you.

Restoring broken relationships is not a walk in the park though: it requires courage, humility, repentance and willingness to walk together. This is not subjective to which party, the aggrieved or otherwise, but a mutual need. All parties need these qualities in equal proportion for reconciliation to surfice.

However this doesn't mean that broken relationships will be reinstated to their previous position. It is normal for people to act suspicious of each other after coming back together, or to harbor some sort of reservations. But at least by making an effort towards reconciling, peace and understanding can be achieved.

Matthew 5:23-24

The Voice

23 Therefore, if you are bringing an offering to God and you remember that your brother is angry at you or holds a grudge against you, 24 then leave your gift before the altar, go to your brother, repent and forgive one another, be reconciled, and then return to the altar to offer your gift to God.

Reconciliation is an act of obedience to God, reflecting his desire for us to live in peace and harmony, unity and love. It's not a requirement of some basic law we must fulfil, but the very essence of the image of God.

Don't be afraid, even the most fractured relationships can be healed. You just need to be willing to work together to glue the pieces together. 

Path to Renewal

the path towards reconciliation through forgiveness meanders through thickets, rocks and swamps. It's Not easy, but it's vital.

It's a journey that requires humility, courage, faith... but the rewards are immeasurable. I once asked a lady if she was so furious with me as to put a bullet through my head, and it prompted a huge debate that eventually led to "peace talks". Am not proud of the approach I took then, but at least it ignited something that shed light on our predicament.

Instead of pointing her resentment at me like a loaded gun, she put the safety catch back on and downed her arms so we could talk things over. That's the spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation.

By choosing reconciliation, you break free from bondage to bitterness and open your heart to healing, restoration of relationship and to peace.

Ephesians 4:32

New International Version

32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Christ Jesus is the epitome of forgiveness and reconciliation. He bore our sins, forgave us and reconciled us to God. Imagine if God still held a grudge against you; how long would you live? But he didn't wait for you to say how sorry you were. Instead He packaged Himself in a body like yours, to be able to feel like you, and bore the punishment due to you.

I know you can't possibly die for your most treasured mate, let alone your enemy. but you can definitely try to bring them closer. Remember, the burden of hurt lies heavily on you, not the other person who wronged you. It's you who is wounded, not them.

It's you who is imprisoned by your own negative feelings. Follow Christ's example and break free. Don't be held back anymore by negativity. Don't suffer while others are enjoying this precious life. Let go of spite and embrace love. 

Remember: there is renewal in forgiveness and reconciliation.

Finding Hope in the Darkness

 

Where Mental Hygiene and Faith Meet

In the labyrinth of life, we all become entangled with so many undertakings that our minds become jumbled up and bogged down. Add to that the numerous challenges, responsibilities and the pace of life itself, and you have a recipe for a clogged mind.

Can you identify with this? You wake up at ungodly hours, have a hectic day with quite a umber of twists and turns, trying to balance family, work, church activities, allocation of your funds- little or otherwise... the list goes on. Does your life seem intent on driving you nuts?

Well, you are not alone. Virtually everyone else is going through the same ordeal, only that they hav not been brave enough to seek solace. Let me tell you that you are closer to finding it, because you came to this post. Am not giving you a guarantee that your life will suddenly become reading but if you combine this text with faith in Christ Jesus, your life will be a lot easier and satisfying.

What part does faith play in my life, you ask?  Faith and mental hygiene are entwined in a delicate dance of resilience, hope and community. Faith in God assures us of better things to come, knowing that He has better plans for us. We are assured that though the going may be tough today, God is working behind the scenes to make everything work out for our good.

Jeremiah 29:11

New International Version

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Through faith we are connected to something infinitely greater than ourselves- God, who gives us strength in our time of need. In this way we are empowered to see hardship and suffering in a different perspective. We know that present hardships are the premise for future testimony.

We also know that God is always there to comfort us, regardless of how hard the situation is, how mean the economy could be, how nagging the children are, how challenging the balancing game is proving. The book of Corinthians offers us consolation:

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

New Living Translation

God Offers Comfort to All

3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.

Life's challenges may plunge you in to a state of questioning, where you doubt everything- even your own sanity. Add to that feeling of guilt, shame, loneliness or abandonment.... You end up feeling like throwing in the cards. But don't be dismayed. 

When all seems to be lost, you have God at your side. The more you are deserted, the more He draws near to you. The more guilt you feel, the more He reminds you of His love for you. The more he reminds you of No Condemnation for those in Christ.

God is closer to you, eager to carry you when you are broken and crushed. This is what He says in Psalms 147:3

Psalm 147:3

New Living Translation

3 

He heals the brokenhearted
    and bandages their wounds.

To find that peace amid the complexities in life, you first need to embrace your feelings. Although faith assures us of better things in the future, it doesn't negate the present situation. Instead of living in denial, accept the reality of the situation and how you feel about it. That's the only way you can genuinely develop a different outlook of the situation, and have a chance of ever changing things.

After you have accepted the reality and had a proper summation of it, you need to seek support from trusted friends and professionals. Instead of internalizing everything, share your thoughts with someone you trust. After all, a problem shared is a problem half-solved. This is what the book of Psalms tells us:

You may also consider connecting with a community. A faith community offers you a platform to share,laugh, unload, make friends and be merry. Why die alone when there is a faith community that could make life lively?

Don't forget to care for yourself. Self-care is one of the things we love to push back in a race against time, but it is the most important thing in your life. 

Before your family, there is you. Before your finances, there is you. Before your engagements, there is you. prioritize self care and set aside time for unwinding, grabbing a snack and hitting the Gym. Thank me later for it. Christ said this to his group, who, obviously had neglected self-care:

Mark 6:31

New Living Translation

31 Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.

Lastly, you need to come back and ask yourself, what am I really living for? It's easier to navigate a life with meaning, purpose and direction. You know what to prioritize first and what come last. You also are able to cut back on unwanted jargon that could be holding you down and eating into your resources. 

Luckily for you, you have faith in Christ, and he gives you a meaning and purpose in your life. He is the one who directs your steps. Am not suggesting that you should be fanatically religious, but pointing to your strength. 

When you find purpose in your life, you are several strides into streamlining your life. What's better is that you have God, pulling the strings behind the scenes. He says he has great plans for you, and Am sure He won't rest until His plan in your life has succeeded. This is what He says in Jeremiah:

Jeremiah 29:11

New Living Translation

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Remember you are not alone. Many have trodden the same path and come out with victory. Though it's not a smooth running, God has seen others before you through, and H eis not tired yet. He still wants you to put your trusting Him, ad He will carry you through too. 

with support, resilience, and a steadfast connection to your faith, hope and healing are attainable.

Citations  

 1. beautyinourbrokenness.com

beautyinourbrokenness.com

An Easy Recipe for Spiritual Growth

 How to Cultivate a Deeper Relationship with God

I want to be closer to God, both mentally and emotionally..... spiritually. This is a statement we often hear, especially when we are drafting those new- year resolutions. But do we really achieve that?

In the modern world, it's easy to get caught up in the daily craze to meet deadlines, and, generally, to make ends meet. We often get our diaries filled up for the whole week, utterly forgetting about the most important thing in life: God.

In this post am going to share easy steps you can take to grow in faith and cement your relationship with God.

Pray 

Some people only pray on Sundays, then wait for God to sustain them for the rest of the week. Others trust in prayer, making a religion out of it. 

But what does the Bible teach about Prayer? This is what it admonishes us in the book of Thessalonians:

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Prayer is communion with God. Be in constant fellowship with Him, the same way you would with a close friend. By praying in the power of the Holy Spirit, you build yourself up in your faith.

But you, my delightfully loved friends, constantly and progressively build yourselves up on the foundation of your most holy faith by praying every moment in the Spirit. Fasten your hearts to the love of God and receive the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who gives us eternal life. Keep being compassionate to those who still have doubts, and snatch others out of the fire to save them. Be merciful over and over to them, but always couple your mercy with the fear of God. Be extremely careful to keep yourselves free from the pollutions of the flesh. Now, to the one with enough power to prevent you from stumbling into sin and bring you faultless before his glorious presence to stand before him with ecstatic delight. (Jude 1:20-24 TPT)

Read your Bible

Hebrews 4:12 (TPT)

For we have the living Word of God, which is full of energy, like a two-mouthed sword. It will even penetrate to the very core of our being where soul and spirit, bone and marrow meet! It interprets and reveals the true thoughts and secret motives of our hearts.

The word of God is God's will for us. It is God's power … unto salvation. When you read the word of God, you are interacting with God's power.

Again, you won't know how or what to pray for if you don't know what God says in His word. Jesus said, " … that you would know the truth and the truth will set you free" The word of God is the only truth. If you don't know what the word says, you don't know the truth.

If you don't know the truth, how can you repeat to God what He said in His word? How can you pray according to God's will? How can you know what is in God's mind?

The only way to know God's secrets is by His word, guided by the Holy Spirit. Set aside time to read the scriptures and you will see the difference in your life.

Take part in worship and Community

Proverbs 27:17 (NLT)

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.

Worship is a way of expressing awe and gratitude towards God. It is a form of expression of love and respect for Him, even as we make ourselves vulnerable to Him, to receive more of His love and care.

When you take part in corporate worship through going to church, small groups, worship nights and such, you encounter other worshipers who, like yourself, are eager to experience more of God.

These like-minded people will support and encourage you through your faith journey.

Surround yourself with these people, because they will challenge you and inspire you to grow.

Be Thankful and Reflect on God's Providence

It is easy to lapse in to sulking, counting what we lack. But the real juice is in gratitude. Count your blessings and see what God has done in your life.

It helps to pause and think of those simple ways God has shone through in your life, then you will realize how much of His power is at work around you. The realization that God is at work in you brings you to a state of dep worship, challenging you to know Him better.

You can express you gratitude by simply writing down, worship, thankful prayer, or even assenting in your mind. By being thankful and content, you are assured that God is working in those areas where you might feel needs working on.

Serve

 Matthew 20:28, 

"the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many

Although the above scripture would rather be understood in another context, it's great to serve others, rather than wait to be served. God is love, and when we render service to others, we let God's love shine through us.

We also get a big chance to grow, both spiritually, emotionally and intellectually, when we offer a listening ear to those in need or take others' burdens on our shoulders.

There are quite a number of ways you can deepen your connection with God, but these are the main ways you can employ . If you study the word of God, pray according too HIs  will serve others and be grateful, you are several steps into a deeper relationship with God.

As we grow spiritually, we not only strengthen our connection with Him but also become better equipped to live out our faith in every aspect of our lives.

Remember, spiritual growth is not about perfection, but about progress. It’s about taking small, consistent steps towards a closer relationship with God, trusting that He will guide and transform us along the way.