Ways to Freshen Your Faith

As the flowers bloom and the days get longer, spring time can be a great time to take a step back and evaluate our relationship with God. It can be a great opportunity to refresh our faith as well. It is too easy to get weighed down by activities, schedules and obligations. Often our relationship with God becomes an afterthought or just reserved for Sunday mornings. Even then we can find ourselves rushing out of church to make sure we get everything done before Monday comes around.

 

One way to start fresh is to read or study something that is new to you. Whether it is a new Bible or a new Bible study book, treat yourself to something that is going to give you an excuse to have a fresh start in your faith. If you need recommendations, ask your small group leader or pastor for a list of some of their favorites. The Christian Standard Bible (CSB) Study Bible for Women is just one of many great resources available that can help give you a fresh outlook.

 

The CSB Study Bible for Women is prepared for women by women. It includes doctrinal notes, Biblical womanhood articles, character profiles, “Written on My Heart” applications, and word studies. The hope for the CSB Study Bible for Women is that it will help women deep dive into Scripture and equip them to unlock the riches of God’s Word, which will ignite a passion to mentors others to do the same.

 

To win a copy of the CSB Study Bible for Women, click here.

 

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life^[e…But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:25-27,33-34

 

Here are some other ways to freshen your faith:

 

Go to a conference. There are so many great conferences out there. From small conferences to ones that fill entire stadiums, each has a different focus and different speakers. Find one that resonates with you. Ask your small group or group of friends to join you. Going to a conference with others is a great way to freshen your faith. After the conference you can talk about what you learned and continue to challenge one another and hold each other accountable to the things that you wanted to apply to your life. Conferences can also be a good excuse for a road trip. Look at the conference schedule and make a fun trip out of it with your friends or small group.

Even if you aren’t able to go with others, don’t be intimidated to go alone. Conferences can be great places to meet new friends too. Ask someone if they want to sit with you and then after the session see if they want to grab lunch or coffee.

 

Go on a retreat. Grab your Bible, journal and head to a quiet spot. You might be able to sneak away for a few hours or a few days. Try to find a place that is quiet and where people won’t interrupt your time with God. Many ministries have retreat centers where individuals or groups can take a retreat. Pray and ask God to show you what He wants you to take away from your time. Ask Him to renew your faith and to give you a fresh perspective on your relationship with Him. Going on a retreat with your small group or a group of friends can be good too. Everyone is able to have personal time studying or reflecting and then join together for meals or activities and share what they are learning.

 

Enjoy nature. Go for a walk and listen to your favorite worship songs. As you walk, notice all the different things God has created. Take time to look at the details of the flowers, animals and other things around you. If you are able to go to a forest, beach or other nature preserve, take a hike there. Pray and thank God for the things He has created. Take time to slow down. Try not to use your phone while you are on the hike. If you are going with your family or friends, try to focus the conversation. It might be having a time to pray together as you walk. It might be sharing what you are thankful for or even singing praise and worship together.

 

Reflect. Take time this week to thank God for what He has done in your life. Often by going back and reflecting on our past and how we came to Christ, can give us a fresh outlook. It can be helpful to write down your faith story of how you came to Christ and what He is doing in your life currently. Pray and ask God to show you if there are things in your life that you need to change in order to become more like Him. It could be changing a habit, starting to read the Bible daily or becoming part of a Bible study.

 

 

We were given a copy of the CSB Study Bible for Women by Frontgate Media, but our thoughts and opinions are our own. For more info, click here.