How Do I Know If I’m Growing Spiritually?

Rethinking spiritual growth through grace, relationship, and purpose

We talk a lot about spiritual growth in Christian circles—but rarely do we slow down and ask what it actually looks like.

For some, growth is tied to how many Bible studies they attend or how consistent their prayer journal is. For others, it’s about emotional highs during worship or a long to-do list of “good Christian” habits. And while none of those things are wrong, they don’t always reflect what’s happening deep within the soul.

There have been seasons in my own life where I felt like I was growing because I was busy doing “spiritual” things—yet I was overwhelmed, burned out, or simply going through the motions. Other times, I wasn’t doing anything impressive at all… but I noticed I was worrying less, trusting more, and letting go of burdens I didn’t need to carry. And that’s when it hit me:

Spiritual growth isn’t about doing more for God. It’s about becoming more like Christ.

Sometimes that looks like journaling or daily devotionals. But other times, it looks like silence. Stillness. Surrender. It looks like choosing grace over guilt, or peace over panic. It’s trusting that our relationship with God isn’t measured by checklists, but by connection.

Feeling Stuck? You’re Not Alone.

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Am I even growing?”—you’re in good company.

Many believers go through dry seasons or spiritual plateaus. It doesn’t mean you’re failing. It may mean God is inviting you to go deeper, beyond the surface rhythms and into something more personal, more lasting.

When someone tells me they feel stuck in their walk with God, I usually encourage them to do something simple—but powerful:

Ask God to draw near.
Not with elaborate prayers or perfect words. Just an honest heart.

Scripture promises:

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” – James 4:8

That nearness often begins with small shifts—spending time in His Word, not just to finish a chapter, but to feel His heart. Reading the Psalms, for example, can stir something deep within us—not just because they’re poetic, but because they reflect real emotions, real struggles, and real trust in a very real God.

What’s in Your Hand?

Another way to reflect on spiritual growth is to ask:

What are the gifts, passions, or burdens God has placed in my life right now?
Am I using them faithfully?

You don’t need a stage, a title, or a perfect plan. Sometimes spiritual growth happens when you take one small step toward using what God already gave you—your voice, your creativity, your compassion—and offering it back to Him.

Maybe it’s reaching out to someone who’s hurting.
Maybe it’s making space to rest and be with God, even when the world says to hustle.
Maybe it’s simply choosing not to run from the questions that scare you—but bringing them to God instead.

Marks of Spiritual Growth

If you’re wondering how to tell if you’re growing, here are a few questions to reflect on—not as a test, but as an invitation:

  • Am I more aware of God’s presence in my daily life?

  • Do I respond with more grace than I used to?

  • Am I more hungry for truth and less satisfied with surface-level answers?

  • Do I feel convicted by Scripture—not condemned, but drawn to change?

  • Am I more willing to trust God with things I used to control?

Even one “yes” to these questions might be more evidence of growth than you think.

Let Grace Lead

Spiritual growth doesn’t always look like a mountaintop. Sometimes it’s more like a slow climb, a messy walk, or even a stumble in the right direction. The enemy would love to tell you that you’re not doing enough. But Jesus says something very different:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9

So if you’re in a season where you feel stuck, take heart. You are not forgotten. You are not failing. You are being formed.

Let the noise fade. Let the pressure lift. And remember: God isn’t calling you to impress Him.
He’s calling you to walk with Him.

And that, dear friend, is how you’ll know you’re growing.

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