Hi Guys, A question for you; How do you feel you have grown spiritually over the time since you first got to know the Lord? As you look back on your life can you see a growth? Or are you stuck, or have you been stuck at some time? There are no right answers to this, I do think however there is much to be learned and gained from various members postings. BC
You are probably not stuck even though it may seem that way, I have found the Lord gives us consolations (happy feelings) but then may test us a little to see if it is Him or the happy feelings we really seek. I think real growth comes when we feel we are stuck, but it's only in hindsight we may be able to see it.
Thanks Bordee Collie! Haven't been able to get to adoration in a while. Craving it! I know it will help. It is my spiritual medicine. One of my kiddos has sustained a severe concussion and my "me" time has been limited. Worry for her is creeping in and I know I need to just let go and trust but I'm struggling.
I've been on this path since 1988. Drifted into lukewarmness from 1995-2011. Then my spiritual growth went into hyper warp speed with the "discovery" of living in the Divine Will in 2013. Finally, I KNOW that NOTHING will happen to me outside of God's Will, and I have absolute confidence that my loved ones are the in the palm of the Father's hand. It is freedom, peace and joy beyond imagining.
there are so many ways to measure spiritual growth. I have been on the path for a very long time, like maybe since the late 90's. I am lucky in that I have always believed and been catholic, but it was not until the late 90's when our lady got hold of me that I really started to explore my faith and try to live it. My journey has not been like being put in a microwave on high for 2 minutes and I come out on fire for the Lord. It has been more like putting a 20 pound turkey in a slow cooker on low and waiting for it to finish. It has taken a long time especially since there were times I simply refused to cook some ways I would describe my spiritual growth... from not being able to make all the masses during the advent season to not missing mass...being continuously late for mass to being early...sitting in back to sitting in the front...feeling very ackward and perplexed in adoration to not missing a week...sitting in the back in adoration to sitting as close to Him as I can...taking in the whole world to detaching from it...loving my will to hating my will...feeling okay with my sins since I am not as bad as other people to being horrified by them...complaining constantly to the Lord about my cross to complaining much less...trusting God like my cats trust me when I try to get them in their carriers to take them to the vet to trusting God a greater degree although still not where I need to be... So I am growing spiritually through my cross, grace from God, and consecration to Mary. I really do think of Jesus and Mary all day long and often have Marian hymns running through my head. However there are still so many ways to grow, espcially in trust, carrying my cross, reading the Bible, and getting to confession more often, etc.
My spiritual growth has mainly come through suffering in various illnesses over the years, some I have been healed of, some not. But through it all, the good Lord has given me the grace to keep on seeking him and offering all up to him. I was asked recently to describe my journey: it is like being a cyclist traveling up a very high steep hill in a hail storm, one has to keep the head down and peddle hard! Occasionally one may experience the sun for a brief period but the higher one goes, the less sun and less people one meets. The high points have been discovering the De Montfort consecration to Our Lady and of course the pearl of great price, ie living and praying in The Divine Will! Like Kathy K, no matter where I am, and whether in sickness or health I am filled with peace and joy, knowing that no matter what happens or who dies, I have already prayed for the situation or person.
Like many here and on our sad Planet, I'm still in search of that Peace and Joy of which some speak .... but at my age I've become comfortable with the "search" thereof and the Faith that it will come if I, like Charlie J. sez, keep taking that Next Right Step and Trust in God! GOD SAVE ALL HERE!!
CrewDog, Be careful about comparing yourself to others- it can prove discouraging. When we awake in the morning, it's the gift of a new day from and with Jesus. Two attitudes which I believe propel spiritual growth are (1) thanksgiving and (2) trusting in God's promises. So thank God for the blessings you have received over the years and simply praise Him for who He is! After all, He's incomparable! And when you come across a promise of God, take it to heart and memorize it if need be. One example would be from Jeremiah 29: 13 'You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. Memorizing His promises helps us thwart the lies of the enemy who enjoys beating us down with our unworthiness. Thanking Him redirects are hearts and minds back to His love. And one other thing: if we place our hopes and desires in the hands of Mary to present to God, she will purify our requests with the simplicity of her Immaculate Heart! Safe in the Refuge of the Immaculate Heart!
