Cycles of Spiritual Growth: The Process God Uses to Strengthen Our Faith
Have you ever wondered why, as a follower of Jesus, you experience times of strong faith and other times of little faith? This is all part of God’s growth and faith-building process. Let’s explore the cyclical nature of spiritual growth and how we can move forward in our journey of faith.
Spiritual Growth Happens in Cycles
The process of growing in faith is cyclical. Here’s a breakdown of the spiritual growth cycle:
We Hear God’s Word: God’s truth enters our minds, often through reading Scripture or hearing it preached.
We Receive It as True: We decide to accept and believe that what God says is true because it’s His Word.
We Internalize It: We say to ourselves, “Yes, this applies to me!” and start to accept it into our lives.
We Take Action: A step of faith is taken in response to God’s Word.
We Work Through Doubts: Doubts arise. We ask questions like, “What about this? Is this really true?” This is a critical stage.
We Come Out Stronger: As we revisit Scripture and overcome doubts, our faith becomes stronger, and we have a deeper understanding of God’s promises.
A Personal Example of Spiritual Growth
Let me share a personal story of how this cycle worked in my life. After I received Christ as my Savior during my first year of college, I was nervous about sharing my new faith with the people I had previously partied and drank with. I was scared. I doubted whether everyone really needed Jesus, but as I immersed myself in Scripture and interacted with other believers, I came to understand that everyone indeed needed Christ.
Through this process:
I heard God’s Word that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
I received it as true, internalizing the idea that Jesus died for everyone.
I took action by looking for opportunities to share Jesus.
I worked through doubts about whether everyone needed to be saved.
And I came out on the other side with a deep conviction that everyone does indeed need Jesus, which fueled my passion for evangelism.
This process strengthened my faith and has allowed me to lead many people to Christ over the years.
Growing Through the Cycle Again and Again
Spiritual growth doesn’t stop after one cycle. God will lead us through similar cycles in different areas of life. Each time, our faith in Him grows stronger as we depend on the Holy Spirit’s power to navigate through the process.
The ultimate test of spiritual growth is how the truths we learn shape our thoughts, words, and actions. When those truths become ingrained in our behavior, we know that our faith has taken root.
A Faith That Leads to Possibilities
When we internalize God’s Word and experience growth in our faith, we open ourselves to amazing possibilities. Luke 1:37 tells us, "Nothing is impossible with God." Our faith, when fully established, propels us into new dimensions of life, drawing us closer to God’s will and purpose for us.
Conclusion
Faith-building is a cyclical process in which God’s Word enters our lives, is internalized, and leads to action. By working through doubts and continuing in dependence on the Holy Spirit, we strengthen our faith and experience spiritual growth. As we grow, the promises of God become deeply rooted in us, shaping our lives and empowering us to fulfill His purpose.
My goal is to help busy believers experience God more deeply, grow consistently—both spiritually and personally—and confidently live out their unique purpose.
