Isn’t it kind of hard to determine if you are “growing” spiritually sometimes. There is no checklist. You might try to trust others who have seen who you were verse who you have become. You might even wonder at times if you are even going in the right direction. I read a book recently entitled, “The Me I want to Be.” The author noted when he is evaluating his spiritual life he asks himself two questions. “Am I growing more easily discouraged these days?” and “Am I growing more irritated these days?”

He realized when he was growing in the peace of God it was much more difficult to be discouraged. When God’s peace is truly flowing through you then you are content with where you are in life. You understand everything is in His time and trying to “force” your agenda will only bring discouragement. His peace will bring chaos into focus and even in the middle of a storm your heart will be still. There is no discouragement you can’t get through when you realize there is the peace of God that passes all understanding. (1 Peter 4:8)

The author also realized when he was growing in the love of God it was much more difficult to be irritated with others. “Love covers a multitude of sins…” (1 Peter 4:8). When you understand the love and patience God has with you it is much easier to give the same to others. Don’t you see that in your life right now? When you love someone you give them much more grace than someone you may not “like” as much? When His love overflows in your life it will spill over into the lives of others.

Are you growing in God’s peace and love? When you are it will be more than just words, but actions that will not only benefit your life, but others in your life as well.