One Decision at a Time: Practical Steps for Christian Spiritual Growth | Restore Christ

Practical Steps for Christian Spiritual Growth | Restore Christ

I woke up today feeling grateful. Really grateful. I’ve been thinking about where I came from and where I am now, and about how many times God has saved me throughout my life—even during the times when I didn’t realize it was Him.

When I think about my past, everything I survived, and some of the wrong decisions I made, I find myself crying more now. I don’t think I’m crying because I’m weak. I think I’m crying because my heart isn’t as hard as it used to be. I’m finally allowing myself to feel some of the things I used to cover up.

I walked away from alcohol. I’m fighting lust and other habits that kept pulling me away from Jesus. Am I perfect? No. Do I still make mistakes? Yes. The difference is that I’m catching myself faster now. I’m seeing things differently, and I’m becoming more willing to surrender every day.

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. -Galatians 5:16

What Am I Feeding My Spirit - How am I Growing?

I’m learning that fighting the flesh doesn’t mean hating myself or beating myself up every time I make a mistake. It means I have to stop feeding the thoughts and habits that are destroying me. Every time I say no to my old ways, I’m making more room for God to change me.

Even some of the financial pressure I’m under came from my own decisions. I have to be honest about that. But taking responsibility doesn’t mean I have to keep beating myself down. I can learn from my decisions, give them to God, and do my part to move differently.

Is God giving me everything I want right now? No. But I’m learning that I don’t need Him to move at my pace. I need to learn how to move at His.

God isn’t making every problem disappear. He’s changing me while I’m going through them. That’s why I can wake up smiling even though everything in my life isn’t perfect.

Surrender the Next Decision

I know all of us carry things that other people may never see. I don’t have to know your battle because God already does. Maybe it’s your thoughts, a habit, fear, pain, pressure, or something you’re ashamed of. Whatever it is, you don’t have to let it become your identity, and you don’t have to carry it by yourself.

Sometimes surrender means praying. Sometimes it means opening the Bible. Sometimes it means finally telling the truth and allowing somebody to help you.

You don’t have to fix your entire life today. Just ask yourself: What am I feeding inside of me? Is it pulling me closer to Jesus, or is it slowly pulling me away?

Give God the next decision. Then give Him the next one after that.

I’m not the man I want to become yet, but thank God I’m not the man I used to be. I’m grateful for His patience, grateful for another chance, and grateful to have people walking beside me as I continue becoming who God is calling me to be.

One decision at a time.

— Cisco