Discovering the Missing Goal: Spiritual Development
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Becoming a “whole person” is a complex process. This complex process embraces many different factors. We must address our development in each of these areas: emotional, physical, spiritual, social, psychological, and professional. Although we tend to think that these areas work independently of each other, we must realize each of these factors impacts the another. Our “whole person” development intricately connects the different areas of our life and helps us to develop a balanced and prosperous life.
Our emotional development shapes who we are. This development is vital to our ability to recognize, express, and manage feelings at different stages of life and to have empathy for the feelings of others. The development of these emotions, which include both positive and negative emotions, is essentially affected by relationships with others, our ability to accept change, and our reactions to stressful situations.
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About the Book
How many of us have an open treasure chest of gold (our spiritual growth) waiting to be claimed on a deserted beach?
Spiritual growth is the process of becoming more and more like Jesus Christ. When we place our faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit begins the process of making us more like Him. Spiritual growth is perhaps described in 2 Peter 1:3-8, which tells us that by God’s power we have “everything need” to live lives of godliness, which is the goal of spiritual growth. What we need comes “through our knowledge of Him, “which is the key to obtaining everything we need. Our knowledge of Him coms from the Word, given to us for our edification and growth.
There are two lists in Galatians 5:19-23. Verses 19-21 list the “acts of the flesh.” These are the things that identify our lives before we came to Christ for salvation. The “acts of the flesh” are the activities we are to confess, repent of, and, with God’s help, overcome. As we experience spiritual growth, fewer and fewer of the “acts of the flesh” will be evident in our lives. The second list is the “fruit of the Spirit” (verses 22-23). These are things that should characterize our lives now that we have experienced salvation in Jesus Christ. Spiritual growth is identified by the “fruit of the Spirit” becoming increasingly evident in a believer’s life.
When the transformation of salvation takes place, spiritual growth begins. The Holy Spirit indwells us (John 14:16-17). We are new creatures in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). The old, sinful nature begins to give away to the new, Christ like nature (Romans 6-7). Spiritual growth is a lifelong process that depends on our study and application of God’s Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and our walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-26). As we seek spiritual growth, we should pray to God and ask for wisdom concerning the areas He desires us to grow. We can ask God to increase our faith and knowledge of Him. God desires us to grow spiritually, and He has given us all we need to experience spiritual growth. With the Holy Spirit’s help, we can overcome sin and steadily become more like our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
How do I get there?
About the Author
D. Dianna Thomas, Ph.D., a native of Beulah, Mississippi, describes herself as a lifelong learner. She graduated from West Bolivar District one High School in Rosedale, Mississippi. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Behavioral Science (Management) from National-Louis University of Evanston, Illinois. D. Dianna earned a Master of Education specializing in Special Education from National-Louis University of Evanston, Illinois. She completed a Master of Arts degree from Concordia University of Chicago, Illinois, specializing in Educational Leadership. D. Dianna also earned a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree from Capella University of Minneapolis, Minnesota, specializing in Special Education Leadership.
D. Dianna has worked in the field of education as paraprofessional, special education teacher, and administrator for over four decades. D. Dianna is an avid reader, enjoys studying the Word of God, spectator sports, and being a grandmother.