Have you ever looked at someone else’s faith and wondered why yours doesn’t seem as strong?
Maybe you admire someone who prays confidently, knows Scripture well, or seems to trust God through every difficult situation. You want that kind of relationship with God, but you’re not sure how to get there.
The encouraging truth is that spiritual growth doesn’t happen overnight.
Just like building a strong marriage, developing a meaningful friendship, or learning a new skill, growing in faith takes time, patience, and consistency.
At Bethany Church, a church in Red Lion, PA, we believe that becoming more like Jesus begins with small, intentional steps. You don’t need to change everything about your life today. Sometimes, one small act of faithfulness can begin a journey of lasting transformation.
1. Remember That Spiritual Growth Takes Time
We live in a world that celebrates immediate results.
We want to accomplish our goals quickly, see progress immediately, and experience transformation without the long process of getting there.
But meaningful change rarely works that way.
A healthy relationship with God develops through consistent prayer, reading Scripture, worship, and learning to trust Him in everyday circumstances.
Consider how relationships grow. You don’t develop a deep friendship through one conversation. You build it through countless moments of communication, encouragement, and shared experiences.
Your relationship with God is similar.
Every time you pray, spend time in Scripture, or choose to follow Jesus in a difficult situation, you’re developing habits that help strengthen your faith.
The results may not be immediately visible, but that doesn’t mean nothing is happening.
Small acts of faithfulness, practiced consistently, can produce meaningful spiritual growth over time.
Instead of asking how quickly you can become a stronger Christian, consider what small step you can faithfully take today.
2. Trust God’s Strength Instead of Relying on Your Own
One of the most encouraging examples of perseverance in the Bible comes from the story of Zerubbabel.
After the Jewish people returned from exile, Zerubbabel was tasked with helping rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.
It was an enormous responsibility.
The rebuilding effort faced opposition, delays, and discouragement. Progress was slow, and the work seemed overwhelming.
Yet God sent a message of encouragement through the prophet Zechariah.
Zechariah 4:6 declares:
“Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty.”
This passage reminds us that accomplishing God’s purposes doesn’t depend entirely on our personal abilities.
We need God’s strength.
The apostle Paul reinforces this truth in 2 Corinthians 12:9, where God reminds him that divine strength is made perfect in weakness.
Perhaps you’re struggling to develop a consistent prayer life. Maybe you’ve tried reading the Bible regularly but keep falling behind. Or perhaps you’re facing circumstances that make trusting God difficult.
You don’t have to overcome every challenge through determination alone.
Ask God for guidance. Pray for strength. Allow trusted Christians to encourage and support you.
Growing in faith begins with recognizing that God is with us throughout the process.
3. Don’t Underestimate Small Beginnings
In Zechariah 4:10, God challenges those who look down on small beginnings.
The people rebuilding the temple could see how much work remained. Their progress seemed insignificant compared with the size of the task.
But the foundation mattered.
Without it, the temple could never be completed.
The same principle applies to our spiritual lives.
You might think that praying for five minutes isn’t enough or that reading a few verses of Scripture won’t make much difference.
But those small actions can become the foundation of a stronger relationship with God.
Consider these simple spiritual habits:
- Spend five minutes in prayer each morning.
- Read a short passage of Scripture before starting your day.
- Thank God for three blessings each evening.
- Set aside time each week for worship.
- Encourage one person who may be struggling.
- Pause before making an important decision and ask God for wisdom.
None of these actions requires extraordinary effort.
But when practiced faithfully, they help shape our thoughts, priorities, and decisions.
The goal isn’t perfection. It’s consistent movement toward becoming more like Jesus.
4. Choose One Word to Guide Your Spiritual Growth
Sometimes our biggest obstacle to spiritual growth is trying to change too many things at once.
We create long lists of goals, become overwhelmed, and eventually give up.
What if you started with just one word?
Choose a word that represents an area where you believe God is calling you to grow.
For example:
- Trust: Learning to depend on God when the future feels uncertain.
- Pause: Making space for prayer, rest, and listening to God’s direction.
- Persevere: Remaining faithful through difficult circumstances.
- Generosity: Becoming more intentional about sharing your time, talents, and resources.
- Seek: Prioritizing God’s wisdom when making decisions.
Once you’ve selected your word, find a Bible verse that reinforces it.
If your word is pause, Psalm 46:10 offers a reminder to be still and recognize God’s presence.
If your word is trust, Proverbs 3:5–6 encourages us to rely on the Lord rather than our own understanding.
Write your word somewhere you’ll see it regularly.
Then ask yourself each day: How can I put this word into practice?
Over time, that simple focus can influence your thoughts, words, decisions, and habits.
5. Keep Going Even When Progress Feels Slow
One of the greatest challenges in spiritual growth is discouragement.
We compare ourselves to others, become frustrated by setbacks, or wonder why God hasn’t changed our circumstances.
But the story of Zerubbabel reminds us that slow progress doesn’t mean God has abandoned the work.
The foundation of the temple was important even before the completed building could be seen.
Likewise, the small habits you’re developing today may prepare you for challenges and opportunities you haven’t encountered yet.
When you miss a day of prayer, begin again.
When you struggle to understand Scripture, keep learning.
When your faith feels weak, remember that God is still present.
You don’t need to accomplish everything immediately.
You simply need to take the next faithful step.
Take Your Next Step at Bethany Church
Growing in faith isn’t something we’re meant to do alone.
Being part of a Christian community provides opportunities to worship, study Scripture, ask questions, develop relationships, and encourage one another.
If you’re looking for a church in Red Lion, PA, Bethany Church welcomes you to explore what it means to grow closer to God.
Whether you’re beginning your faith journey, returning to church after time away, or looking for a deeper relationship with Jesus, there’s always an opportunity to take another step.
Visit Bethany Church in Red Lion, Pennsylvania to learn more about worship services, Bible studies, and opportunities to connect.
Remember, you don’t have to change everything today.
Choose one small step. Trust God with the process. Keep moving forward.
Because the small things you do faithfully today can make a big difference in who you become tomorrow.