Are you a Christian woman who is looking to draw closer to God?
Perhaps you don’t feel as connected as you once did.
Perhaps you’re going through a challenging season of life and feel as though you can no longer hear God’s voice as strongly as you once did.
Whatever your situation, let me offer a sweet reminder that God is omnipresent – meaning he’s always there, everywhere all at once. (Jeremiah 23:23-24 “Am I only a God nearby, and not a God far away? Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see them? Do I not fill heaven and earth?”)
However, there are times when God seems to be quieter than others, in our spirits. Those are usually the times when we have pulled away from him without realizing it.
Being in a relationship with God requires effort on our side as well, just as with any relationship. The Bible refers to our relationship with God as that of a marriage: we are the bride and he is the groom. Therefore, we must put in the effort each day to create the relationship we want with Christ, just as we do with our spouses.
Here are 7 ways to strengthen your relationship with God:
- Stay in the Word. The Bible is one of our strongest tools for learning about God’s character – his love, goodness, mercy, grace, and faithfulness. The more we read the Bible and truly understand it, the more we realize just how much he loves us and that his one true goal is to help us become holy enough to be with him in heaven one day.
- Talk to God. Prioritize prayer every day, several times a day, not just when you “need” something. How do we as parents feel when our kids ignore us until they “need” something? Or when they show no gratitude for all that we do for them? Talk out loud or in soft whispers or even without uttering a word. Talk to him in your spirit. Meditate on the words you read in the Bible. Just as you talk with your spouse or children about their day or events in their lives, God enjoys us talking to him. He created us to worship him but also to have fellowship with him.
- Find a church that’s Bible-based and where you can serve. Too many people “attend” church but don’t really become involved in church. We are called to love Christ and one another, and serve others. Pray about it. Visit several different churches as you continue to pray. God will lead you to where you can best utilize the gifts he has given you.
- Serve others. When you find a local church, get involved. Ask how you can serve within the church. Once you start serving consistently in the church, God will reveal how you can start serving in other ways, such as within your community. Perhaps you’re called to sing, or cook, or play an instrument, or clean the church. Pray about it and stay aware so you will recognize when God calls you to do something.
- Share what you learn from the Bible with others. It’s been proven time and again that we learn things better and retain them for longer when we teach them to someone else. This doesn’t mean you have to become a Sunday School teacher or minister. It might simply involve you sharing a Bible passage on your social media platform, or going Live to share a testimonial. Sharing the goodness of God with others not only strengthens your faith but also pleases God.
- Love others. That means show compassion and concern for their well-being. Forgive them when they do you wrong. That doesn’t mean you can’t keep your distance from people who hurt you. You don’t have to hang out with them; you can simply pray for them. Pray that they find their way to God and heal from the hurt that causes them to hurt others.
- Serve your family. God treasures the family unit. He created us to love our spouses, cherish them, and honor them. He created us to love our children, teach them, and discipline them. Serving your family isn’t just about doing the laundry and making dinner. It’s about making their physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being a priority. We are to be salt and light to those around us, loving and serving others as Christ did. God structured the family unit in a way that we should honor our spouse first, then our children. We must keep the bond of marriage strong to ensure the enemy doesn’t get a foothold. As well, children feel safe and loved when they see how their parents love one another. The model you give them is usually the model they will look for in their future relationships as well.
I hope these simple tips help you draw closer to God and you once again feel his wonderful, mighty presence in your life every day.
I’d love to hear what YOU do to keep your relationship with God strong.