Spiritual Growth Paper
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Dec 6, 2023
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Spiritual Growth Paper
Isabel Cruz Esquivel
Grand Canyon University
CCN 650 Spiritual Formation: Becoming a Healthy Practitioner
Instructor’s Name Mel Wilson
November 30, 2022
Spiritual Growth Paper
Spiritual growth and spiritual formation mean constantly reflection, learning, and
growing. Spiritual growth and formation are process that takes time, dedication, consistency,
study, meditation, prayers, and reading the Bible. Spiritual growth would never stop and there
will not be an ending to it because there will always be areas of improvement. Spiritual growth
takes place in different stages which each individual has to become aware, learn and understand
more about themselves and their relationship with God (Kang, 2007). Also, the part that the Holy
Spirit play in each individual lives through this process. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate
myself through this process of spiritual growth by showing reflection through the different areas
demonstrated spiritual discipline, and the methods used to practice.
Areas that Demonstrate Spiritual Discipline
Spiritual discipline purpose and focus is the development of the inner being of an
individual which starts a transformation once an individual chose and decides to live a Christian
life and everything that it involves. To live a fulfilling Christian live requires discipline,
dedication, determination, practice, and willingness to take the time to keep learning and
growing spiritually. Areas that demonstrate spiritual discipline is the dedication that you have
towards your spiritual formation and growth which demonstrates that you have the desire to keep
learning and you are willing to take all those teachings and lessons that God has provided to you
through the Bible (Kang, 2007). Another area that can demonstrate spiritual discipline is through
service which means to help others and services requires an individual to be humble, and to place
others needs before your own needs. God has always been selfless and think of humanity and the
needs that human beings need before anything else. God is the one who keeps giving us several
and different examples of the disciplines and the importance of being servants and help all those
who are in need. Generosity involves more than giving because it means that an individual
changes the way they think about managing and giving resources to those who needed it the most
without conditions and expecting something in return. Jesus was one of our greatest teachers
about generosity and the importance to be content and happy with whatever money and
possessions you have.
Methods Use to Practice Discipline
The methods to use to practice discipline include the following prayers, meditation, and
to practice the discipline of gratitude. Through prayers you can practice discipline because that
way you are able to keep working on building a relationship with God. Through prayers you can
seek guidance and understanding of the best way to keep building and practice discipline.
Prayers are the best way that human beings have to communicate with God. Also, prayers are not
a selfish list of people asking God for things. Prayers can give you meaning and purpose in your
life because you have a connection and relationships with God which keeps building overtime.
Praying helps you to acknowledge God in your life and to understand that God is a very
important part of your life (Kang, 2007). The discipline of prayer takes time and it does not
develop overnight, and you must be willing to keep practicing each day. Meditation is another
method that you can use to practice discipline because through meditation an individual is able to
connect with his/her inner self and understand better the connecting between mind, body and
soul. Meditation method is part of the process of the spiritual formation and growth because
through meditation you are able to feed the soul (Kang, 2007). Meditation helps you with the
discipline of gratitude through the connection that you are able to build and established with
yourself through the time that you connect with every single part of your body. Therefore, you
can become aware of all the beautiful things that surround you and all the things that God created
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for humanity. Meditation and prayers give you the clarity and helps you to understand better that
everything that you have has been created and provided by God.
Reflection on the Discipline of Gratitude
The discipline of gratitude does not happen overnight and it takes time, dedication,
determination, and the willingness to practice this discipline every day for you to be able to
understand it better and share with others your journey through this process. The discipline of
gratitude is part of the process of spiritual formation and growth. The discipline of gratitude
starts with taking the time every morning you get to wake up to be grateful for another day that
you are alive. The discipline of gratitude towards God because God would always be there for
you and show you compassion, care and love when you need it the most. Spiritual disciplines
understanding and development of these disciplines are part of the process and your journey
through your spiritual formation and growth. The discipline of gratitude gives you the strength
and courage to face those difficult times knowing that there are more things to be grateful for and
to focus on. It is important to make gratitude a habit in your life because that would bring you
happiness and peace by being grateful for what you have no matter how much you have. One of
the biggest lessons from Jesus towards all of us is the discipline of gratitude and be grateful each
day for everything that God made for all of us and for those who you care for. The discipline of
gratitude takes time and it is developed overtime, and there would be taken small and different
steps until it becomes part of your life and a habit. It is important to understand that people show
gratitude in different ways and takes practice. There are benefits for those who practice the
discipline of gratitude such as building yourself, growing spiritually, and ability to focus on the
positive in your life rather than the negative.
In conclusion, spiritual growth and formation is a slow process which goes through
different stages. Also, you must be willing to take the time to learn and study more about God’s
story and become aware of the spiritual disciplines because those disciplines are an important
part of this process because those disciplines help you to build a stronger relationship with God.
There are areas which can help an individual to demonstrate spiritual disciplines such as
dedication, generosity and service through these an individual is able to take the time to
understand and connect with his/her inner self. There are different methods to practice spiritual
disciplines such as meditation, prayers, studying the Bible. Personally, meditation and prayers
are the best way that helps you to build a strong relationship with God and yourself through God
guidance and teachings. Prayers are the best way that you as individual have to communicate
with God and build a strong relationship with God. Meditation helps an individual to connect
spiritually with himself/herself through the discovery of the inner self and understanding. The
discipline of gratitude is one of the greatest disciplines because there are so many things for you
to be grateful for and to develop a grateful habit would bring you peace and happiness. God was
the one who created everything and human beings has been blessed from the beginning from
God because God took the time to pay attention to all the details. Gratitude towards God because
he always shows up when you need him the most.
References
Calhoun, A. A. (2015). Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices That Transform
Us (Rev. ed.). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. ISBN-13: 9780830846054
Kang, J. C. (2007). Deep-Rooted in Christ: The Way of Transformation. Downers Grove,
IL: InterVarsity Press. ISBN-13: 9780830835119
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