What connection is the most important in your life? If your answer is God—are you growing closer to Him? Sometimes our bond with Him ceases to grow, and we miss out on what He has to offer us in the now. Today, will you examine your heart with me to see if something is holding you back from becoming closer in the most valuable relationship you will ever have?
What Might Be Holding You Back From Growing in the Most Valuable Relationship?
The answer to this question is unique to each of us. Plus, it changes. Uncovering what is holding us back will help to improve our direction and deepen our bond with the Lord. See if any of the following holds you back from growing closer to God.
Unexpected Circumstances
Life has a way of throwing us curves balls when we least expect them. Have you ever noticed for many – their relationship soars with God during the worst of circumstances? However, sometimes it works the opposite way, and we find ourselves unable to lean in closer to the one who can offer us help.
Are you in the middle of something you never saw coming? Is it holding you back from drawing near to God?
Disappointment in God
Sometimes, our discontent with God’s lack of intervention keeps us from drawing close to Him. We wonder – how could a good God allow such pain in our lives or our world?
On more than one occasion, I erected a massive wall to keep Him out. You can read about it here, “When You Are Disappointed in God.”
Life Is Status Quo
Of course, we don’t want our circumstances to go awry. Yet, at the same time, when our journey is smooth, we sometimes don’t feel the desperation for God. It can create a distance before you even realize it.
When I need to embrace life in the midst of the unexpected, God and I are tighter than ever. Trusting Him seems to be the only viable option when circumstances are beyond my ability. I have no doubt – I need God.
However, once I adjust to my “New Normal,” I can slip up on continually growing my relationship unless I am intentional. How about you?
The Most Valuable Relationship Is Not a Priority
After all, don’t we make time for what is essential? Maybe God has slipped down the priority list, and it is time to reevaluate who should be number one.
Not Enough Time
Many times in the busyness of life, we allow it to squeeze out our time with the Lord. Even this morning, I thought about postponing my quiet time with God until after I finished this post.
It is easy to focus on what we need to get done, thinking we will return to God afterward. However, as we know – many times, that never happens.
God must be our priority in our daily schedule. After all, a growing relationship takes time. Click To Tweet
Overcommitted
Have you said “yes” too many times? Are you weary and overcommitted? Overcommitment is an area where many of us struggle, and it seems the older we get, the harder it gets.
I want to jump in with both feet when something seems like a godly endeavor, and I assume God will put his stamp of approval on it. I often fail to consider how it might impact the time needed for my most important relationship. Do you do this too?
Failure to Let Go
Along with over-commitment and lack of time, we must continuously be in tune with the obstacles. God will let us know when it is time to let go of something; however, we must be listening. Simply because the obligation was right before, it doesn’t mean we are expected to continue with it forever. New goals usually require letting go of prior commitments.
Fear
God often asks us to do something that scares us, so we pull back. We know His will but refuse to get out of the boat.
Does this ever happen to you?
When God asks you to get out of the boat and do something scary, your relationship is bound to grow. But you will have to face your fears and trust in God. #trust #God Click To TweetLast year, my spiritual goal was to be ready to step out of the boat with a deeper faith and my eyes fixed on Jesus. I did it on so many occasions by incorporating it into my daily prayers, even dipping my toes in places that scared me. Yet, I have to admit I climbed right back in the boat on one of God’s big pushes and declined to grow as much as I could have.
Not Pursuing God
Relationships grow apart when we are not actively taking steps to draw closer. Think back to someone you were once close to but lost the connection with over time. What happened? How did you arrive where you are today? It isn’t that different from our relationship with God.
The good news is with God; we can always rekindle and draw closer to Him. He is still there waiting and willing to accept us back. But we will have to take steps. #spiritualgoal Click To Tweet
Lack of a Plan
As we know, accomplishing goals requires action steps. Most likely, solely having the desire to grow closer to God won’t make it happen, and it never has for me.
It takes intentionality on our part to grow closer to God.#God #spiritualgoal Click To Tweet
In a previous article, “How to Grow Closer in the Most Important Relationship,” I share my secret to continue growing closer to God.
“I keep my eyes always on the Lord.
With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. “
What keeps you from growing closer to God?
Will you join me in setting a spiritual goal with God this year? Maybe you need to start by examining what is holding you back. We can begin today, drawing closer to the most valuable relationship we will ever have.
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I put off my own quiet time this morning. Thank you for the gentle reminder to be intentional, friend.
Tammy, You are so welcome. Doesn’t quiet time make such a difference? I notice it whenever I skip my time with God. Blessings, Maree
This is a helpful list and I think I have fallen into most of these at one time or another. Right now it’s a strange tension of feeling close to God in many ways as I step out of my comfort zone and trust him, but also feeling very busy and struggling to find the time to spend with him that I know I need to make a priority.
Lesley,
You are not alone. I, too, have fallen. Thank you for sharing your tension. You put into words what many of us feel. Maree
So many things can hold us back most of all our vunerabilities…which can be triggered by any or all of your points above. Great post Maree!
Bless you,
Jennifer
Jennifer,
Thank you! I agree so many things can hold us back. Maree
Oh yes… to grow, we must make our relationship with Him a priority! We are coming off of several hard years -full of loss and grief and disappointment… full of letting go, laying down, and leaving things at His feet… so He has ever so gently been whispering to my soul that He has not moved an inch. It’s up to me to press in further and rekindle the fire… thanks for this post –for the reminder of the necessity of this truth!
Karrilee, I am so sorry you have had several hard years. Sending a prayer up for your comfort. Praying also that this year will be different. I love that God never moves. Maree
Maree, I totally get what you’re saying about seeming to “need” God more in the midst of the unexpected and hard. The intimacy I felt with Him last year during my parents’ last months is not something I had ever experienced before. I am looking for ways to be more intentional about maintaining that relationship now that things have settled into that “new normal” you speak of.
Lois,
Yes, that closeness is fantastic and difficult to maintain once we settle into the non-crises mode. I agree intentionality is key.
Blessings, Maree
Now this is beautiful. You can come guest write for me anytime!
Mandy,
You are so sweet. Thank you for the encouragement. Maree
Thank you for these reminders, Maree. I needed this today!
Pinned, tweeted and will be sharing to the IE Facebook.
Thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragemetns!
Patsy,
Thank you for your encouragement. It means the world to me when you share a post of mine that you like.
Blessings, Maree
Maree,
You have blessed me so much & I truly have gotten cold in the word of God & it’s been because of putting other things first and then when I’m done I’m too tired of reading my bible and have grown cold, I can’t seem to find my way back home with God, I feel lost
Diane,
I am praying for you right now to find your way back. It is so easy to slip away from God. The good news is He is always waiting with open arms. Blessings, Maree
Maree, you have asked an important question. In my case, I believe the reason is one that you mentioned – failure to let go. I have “attachment issues”. I need to be more confident that letting go is OK. Listening for the voice of God to determine the timing is the key.
Laurie,
We share the same struggle. I am planning on starting a series soon about letting go. It appears as though my 2020 years is going to involve quite a bit of it. I agree listening for god’s voice is essential.