Welcome to Spiritual Journey Thursday. We are a small group of writers hoping to strengthen our faith with each other. I am rounding up the posts today and would love to have you join us. Just add your link below!
This month's topic is strength, which also happens to be my one little word for 2026. I am working on many areas in my life that need strengthening, but strength is becoming a big part of my faith journey through journaling, Bible reading, prayer journals, and quiet time. Spiritual muscles, just like the muscles in my body, are built by exercising regularly.
Here are a few prompts that I have been writing about in my notebook:
- When have I had to trust God when I didn't know what or why something was happening?
- What weakness in my life has helped me to grow stronger spiritually?
- Who strengthens my faith? How can I help strengthen others?
- How does helping others strengthen my own faith?
- How does my prayer life strengthen my faith?
- What does it mean to be spiritually strong in today's world?
Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," is a common verse that people associate with personal success or achievement. I have learned through reading the book below and studying scripture that this strength is much more than success. It's about being content with what we have, enduring hardships, staying faithful in suffering, and persevering.
Building spiritual strength is a work in progress for me, but something I am dedicated to doing.
Thank you to Two Writing Teachers for creating
a space for me and other teacher-writers to share our stories.
a space for me and other teacher-writers to share our stories.
I love the definition you shared on strength - "It's about being content with what we have, enduring hardships, staying faithful in suffering, and persevering." Your prompts could provide a wonderful Zoom gathering for our SJT community. And now I need to see if my library has the book you recommended. Thanks for hosting this month.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your writing prompts, Leigh Anne. I’m sitting with that first one this morning— Each one a prayer on its own. Part of what I’m learning is that strength shows up when we’ve developed that muscle through time and attention. Daily. Thank you for hosting.
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting us today and thanks for your thoughtful questions. Without realizing it, I answered your question “What strengthens my faith?” Giving ourselves the time and space to explore what we believe is important to keeping a strong faith.
ReplyDeleteLeigh Anne, thanks for hosting this month. The topic of strength is perfect for the Lenten season. This is a time when through prayer and good works we seek to strengthen our faith not only in ourselves, but also in others as well. Bob
ReplyDeleteLeigh Anne, your sentence says so much: "[Strength is] about being content with what we have, enduring hardships, staying faithful in suffering, and persevering." Phil 4:13 is one of my go to verses since college days. :)
ReplyDeleteDiane (newtreemom)
ReplyDeleteI like your questions. #2 especially.
I love this initiative...Spiritual Journey Thursday. I hope to join with my slice next week. I exercise my spiritual muscles each morning, and the challenge is to keep them working all day. I will take a look at this book!
ReplyDeleteLeigh Anne: I wrote a response to you yesterday, but I guess I forgot to click Publish. Thanks so much for hosting and for your prompt. We really need strength in our spiritual life and I think you have modeled a great way to find it. Also, I really like the questions in your journal. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLeigh Anne, I thought I wrote a comment but it must be one of those that I write and fall asleep without sending. You gave me the gift of reflection-time on what strength means to me. Your questions became anchors to send my thoughts spiraling until I found the spot I knew would lead me to a SJT post. Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," led me to ponder what shall I do to help myself build strength. I agree with Ramona that we should have a Zoom session with our group to help us find answers for your question #6. Thank you for hosting SJT this month.
ReplyDeleteRamona: I love your songs and scriptures. It is well with my soul is a favorite of mine also. Music is so meaningful to me... it really is a universal language and it stirs my soul so deeply. Thanks for this post and God bless.
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