Has My Faith in Him Increased? 4 Questions to Ask Yourself

As I look back over the last year, one question keeps coming to mind. Has my faith in Him increased?  How can I tell if there has been spiritual growth in my life?

Young believers may question something like this often, I know I did as a young Christian.  Did God use the last year working in me?  Will the coming year grow my faith?  Here are some questions you may go through on your own or with a spiritual mentor to take note of where you’re at on your spiritual journey.

1.  Do I Believe Faith is Always Growing? 

Having faith in God and living in His peace when the world seems to be whirling out of control is not only possible, it’s bound to happen.  If you’re praying and leaning into God He will not only use you, but He will use whatever you’re going through for His glory.  He will grow you.  He will work out His plan for your life’s purpose because He is sovereign and knows every step before you take it.

Even in the mundane, God is working.  Life doesn’t have to be magnificently beautiful or incredibly difficult for God to increase your faith.  It may just be growing over the kitchen sink as you pray one more day for your husband, your growing kids, and for the kind of people to come around your family and have fellowship with.

2.  In a Hard Season, How Did I Respond?

While going through hard seasons with a solid faith and trust in God, it may look like we’re aloof and must not understand what’s going on to an outsider. However, God doesn’t tell us His peace is silly or unattainable.  God’s word guides us and God’s presence gives us peace. 

In fact– Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Believe me, I have cried out to God in hard seasons.  I’ve also seen in those very seasons how He’s given me a peace and understanding when my hands were empty.  I’ve seen Him carry me, sustain me, and grow me.  How do you respond when times are hard?  Are you casting your cares on Him?

I’m so thankful for a God who wants us to bring our concerns to Him.  He can handle the important questions we ask, the tough questions we ponder and the hard questions we may be too scared to admit wondering about. 

3.  Has God Helped Me Focus More on Him than the World?

No matter if its a new year or next year, our hearts need guarding, don’t they? Our minds need peace. You may read the above verse with a list of questions running through your mind.  You may question God’s plan, but He gives us direction.  

He makes clear what the Christian walk will look like.  Often in my own life I find the Holy Spirit offers me blinders and the best thing, discernment.  This may mean turning away from reading an article or looking at a post that could lead to envy.  I’m so thankful for the specific way God leads me and guides me so that I focus more on Him, and less on the world around me.

4.  Am I Growing in Thankfulness?

We serve a God who we can come to with thankfulness because He has died for us on the cross. As I’ve grown in my own spiritual maturity, thankfulness is something that helps frame my contentment as I go to the Lord.  I’m thankful his peace is a gift. It’s not something I have to work for, but something he has freely given. 

Jesus tells us in John 14:27- “I am leaving you with a gift- peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give you isn’t like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

Do you have that peace today? Have you experienced it this last year?  

When I think about some of people in my life who illuminate with light, it’s because they’re thankful people.  Despite circumstances, they are glad and confident in their soul.

I can be thankful despite my circumstances.  I can see his Hand of provision in my life even if my daily life may look different than what I may have envisioned in years ago.  I can be thankful for the growth He’s given me and the part of my life that He continues to work on.

As you grow in your own spiritual development and walk, I hope these starter questions provide a bit of a starting point to get your mind and heart thinking.  Overall, let’s ask the Lord to use this next year for His glory.  

God’s promises are true. He wants that peace for you today. Trust Him and know that when you do, His peace is for you too.