Over the years, I have written several times about the need to develop spiritual disciplines and habits that help with spiritual formation. This is one of the key areas of my own life, and it forms the foundation for spiritual growth.

Developing spiritual practices that transform us is a critically important part of our spiritual growth. Such disciplines, or habits, help us maintain our growth as a priority, and can be a helpful tool for gaining deeper growth and maturity. I have several core disciplines that I have built into my daily routines, or at other frequent intervals. Many of those I have written about in the past here. They have been good companions, old friends even, that have helped me keep my focus on Jesus as I seek to become more and more like him.

For most of my life, I assumed that there were only a few of these disciplines, maybe a couple of dozen, at best. However, I have recently discovered that there are far more such habits that can help me grow than I ever imagined. As I have discovered some new ways of incorporating growth into my life, I have stretched myself by trying some of these new disciplines. Some of them have helped me tremendously; others have not been as beneficial for my life, at the point I am at right now. But who knows? They may be more helpful at a later point in my spiritual journey.

A few years ago, I wrote several articles about some of the core disciplines I was investing in at the time. That series of posts, called Establishing Spiritual Disciplines, is still a list of those core habits I turn to on a consistent basis. Some of those habits include Bible reading, fasting, prayer, and solitude, just to name a few. What I hope to do is reinvigorate that old series of posts, revisiting many of those base habits, and adding more to the list… because there are far more than just these few. I have discovered several new disciples that have helped me to grow, and I want to share them with you.

As I write about these habits, there are a few things that I expect to happen. First, some of those old posts will be updated and shared again. Bear with me if you’ve read them before. As I seek to grow more and more, these foundational patterns are worth revisiting and exploring anew. Others will be examined in a fresh light, and I’ll seek out different approaches in examining them. And still others will be added to my list as I share new ways that I never even realized were possibilities earlier in my life.

I’m excited about the journey I’m on as I grow to become more and more like Jesus, and finding new tools that help me with that growth is invigorating to my spiritual health. I hope you’ll be challenged and encouraged in your own spiritual life and health as well.

See you on the journey!

Question: What disciplines have you found helpful in your own spiritual growth and formation? What areas do you think you need to grow in? You can leave a comment by clicking here.