Introduction: Feeling Stuck in Your Faith?
Many Christians go through seasons where they feel disconnected, frustrated, or spiritually exhausted. You may believe in Jesus, attend church, and pray, yet something still feels off—as if you’re falling short of the life God has promised.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many believers struggle in their faith, not because God has abandoned them, but because they haven’t developed the spiritual disciplines needed to experience the fullness of their salvation.
Think of it like an athlete who shows up to a marathon without training. The runner may have the desire to finish the race, but without preparation, they’ll struggle, become exhausted, and may even quit before reaching the finish line.
The good news? God’s promises are already available to you, but it takes spiritual discipline to fully walk in them. Let’s explore what the Bible says about this and how you can strengthen your faith starting today.
1. Salvation Is a Free Gift—But Experiencing Its Fullness Takes Effort
The Bible is clear: We are saved by grace through faith, not by our own works.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”— Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV)
However, many believers fail to experience the joy, peace, and strength that should accompany salvation because they neglect spiritual discipline.
Imagine someone who receives a free gym membership—a gift with unlimited potential to improve their health. If they never show up, they’ll never experience the benefits. The same is true in the Christian life. You have access to God’s promises, but you must train yourself in godliness to fully enjoy them.
2. The Bridge: How Spiritual Discipline Positions You for God’s Promises
Paul emphasizes this in 1 Timothy 4:7-9:
“But have nothing to do with irreverent folklore and silly myths. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness [keeping yourself spiritually fit]. For physical training is of some value, but godliness (spiritual training) is of value in everything and in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and for the life to come. This is a faithful and trustworthy saying worthy of full acceptance and approval.” — 1 Timothy 4:7-9 (AMP)
Paul acknowledges that physical training has some value, but spiritual training is far more valuable because it impacts both this life and eternity.
Spiritual discipline doesn’t earn God’s love or salvation, but it does position you to receive the benefits of what He has already given.
Key Spiritual Disciplines That Build Your Faith:
• Reading and meditating on Scripture
“He answered, “The Scriptures say: Bread alone will not satisfy, but true life is found in every word that constantly goes forth from God’s mouth.” Matthew 4:4 TPT
• Consistent prayer
“Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life,”
Philippians 4:6 TPT
• Worship and thanksgiving
“Let joy be your continual feast. Make your life a prayer. And in the midst of everything be always giving thanks, for this is God’s perfect plan for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 TPT
• Obedience to God’s Word
“Don’t just listen to the Word of Truth and not respond to it, for that is the essence of self-deception. So always let his Word become like poetry written and fulfilled by your life! If you listen to the Word and don’t live out the message you hear, you become like the person who looks in the mirror of the Word to discover the reflection of his face in the beginning. You perceive how God sees you in the mirror of the Word, but then you go out and forget your divine origin. But those who set their gaze deeply into the perfecting law of liberty are fascinated by and respond to the truth they hear and are strengthened by it—they experience God’s blessing in all that they do!”
James (Jacob) 1:22-25 TPT
• Fellowship and accountability
“This is not the time to pull away and neglect meeting together, as some have formed the habit of doing. In fact, we should come together even more frequently, eager to encourage and urge each other onward as we anticipate that day dawning.”
Hebrews 10:25 TPT
Neglecting these disciplines doesn’t make you less saved, but it does make your walk with God weaker—just like an athlete who stops training loses endurance.
3. Why Many Christians Feel Spiritually Weak
If you feel spiritually drained, distant from God, or stuck in bad habits, you may be neglecting spiritual training. Here’s what happens when we do:
• Lack of Peace – Worry and anxiety take over because we’re not rooted in God’s promises (Isaiah 26:3).
• Doubt and Confusion – Without consistent time in the Word, we become vulnerable to deception (Colossians 2:8).
• Weakness in Trials – Hard times feel overwhelming instead of strengthening (James 1:2-4).
• Distance from God – Not because He moved, but because we stopped seeking Him (Jeremiah 29:13).
Greg Laurie’s Insight on Spiritual Discipline
Pastor Greg Laurie said:
“Not all Christians are disciples, but all disciples are Christians.”
The difference? Spiritual discipline.
• A Christian in name only may believe in Jesus but never develop the habits that bring spiritual strength.
• A disciple actively follows Christ through training and commitment.
• The difference between struggling and thriving in faith is discipline.
If you’re struggling, ask yourself: Am I truly training in godliness, or am I just coasting?
4. The Athlete Metaphor: Training for the Race of Faith
Paul often compares the Christian life to an athlete training for a race:
“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.” — 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 (NKJV)
The Greek word for discipline (gymnazo, γυμνάζω) is where we get the word gymnasium. It means to train, exercise, or exert oneself vigorously—not casually or occasionally, but with intentional effortand ongoing commitment.
An untrained runner struggles to keep up, but a disciplined runner moves with endurance and strength.
If you feel spiritually exhausted, it’s time to get back into training.
5. How to Start Training Today
You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight—just start small but stay consistent:
✅ Commit to 5-10 minutes of Scripture and prayer daily.
✅ Find an accountability partner who encourages and prays with you.
✅ Cut out distractions—What “silly myths” or time-wasters are keeping you from training?
✅ Prioritize consistency over perfection—Even small efforts add up over time.
Discipline leads to freedom. The more you train spiritually, the more God’s peace, strength, and joy become your reality.
Conclusion: The Bridge to a Stronger Faith
You don’t have to stay stuck in frustration.
• Spiritual discipline is the bridge between God’s promises and your experience of them.
• You already have salvation—the question is, are you training to walk in its fullness?
• The bridge is already built—will you walk across it?
Take the first step today, and watch how God strengthens your faith, fills you with peace, and empowers you to live the life He designed for you.
Even a small step of faith can begin a powerful transformation in your walk with God.
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