Your First-Step Guide to Beginning Your Spiritual Growth Journey

You’ve made commitments. You’ve taken a hard look at your life and realized the need for your spiritual growth journey—even if you’re not entirely sure what that means yet. Now it’s time to take your first step. But before you do, I want to give you a word of warning.

This journey is long and tiresome. Jesus said the road to life is difficult and narrow. Many will quit. But not you. You’re here because you want to grow—and that matters.

Another warning: Spiritual growth may not feel very “spiritual” at first. Our culture often equates spirituality with emotion, but emotions are only one part of your spirit. The spirit is you—your will, your character, your essence. So yes, this is personal development, but it’s much deeper than career success or emotional regulation. You can be a great dad, employee, or athlete and still be spiritually immature. But a truly spiritual person will grow in those roles and beyond them.

Spiritual Growth First Step: Self-Control

This first step in spiritual growth is huge, and it’ll take time to fully walk it out—but the direction is clear:
You need to grow in self-control.

Start with these actions:

• Identify what’s holding you back. These need to be replaced with something better—not just removed.
• Recognize what’s missing. There are habits and disciplines you haven’t yet adopted. Start practicing them.
• Commit to learning. Begin with the Bible. Prioritize what’s most important and build from there.

You won’t do this all at once. But as you begin making decisions, watch what they reveal. Your choices show what matters to you. Take note. Learn from yourself. Ask: Was that really the best reason for that choice?

Don’t Overthink—Just Start

Growth is a lifelong process. Start now with something important.

Here are some guiding principles to help:

• Choose based on what God wants for your life—as best you understand it right now.
• Spiritual growth includes morality (but it’s not limited to it). Morality is a great starting place.
• Consider every area: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual.
• Find something that impacts multiple areas at once. Maximize your efforts.
• Replace habits rather than just quitting them. Emptiness invites setbacks.
• Ask others for insight—you’re not in this alone.
• Set deadlines for your decisions. Don’t stall. You’ll get stuck.

If you need help starting (or starting again), look at this post.
If you’re overthinking it, read this one.
If you’re doubting yourself—don’t. You can do this.

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The First of Many

Beginnings can feel small, but they’re powerful. Be intentional. Make this start real. You’ll have setbacks. You’ll repeat lessons. But you’ll also grow stronger and wiser. And you don’t have to do it alone.

Are you just starting your spiritual growth journey?
Whether it’s your first time or a fresh restart, share your goals in the comments or send me a message—I’d love to hear from you. Let’s walk this journey together.

There’s so much more to share, so keep coming back to this blog. Let’s grow—step by step.