Signs of Spiritual Growth
Areas of Spiritual Growth from Meditative Prayer Done Over Time
“Blest are they who hunger and thirst for holiness, they shall have their fill.” (Matt. 5:6)
“By their fruits you shall know them. Do men gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles?” (Matt. 7:16)
“…the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patient endurance, kindness, generosity, faith, gentleness, self-control, and charity.” (Gal. 5:22-23)
If you are faithfully, correctly, sincerely, and patiently practicing daily meditative prayer, what noticeable results should be expected?
Below is a list of different areas of possible spiritual growth. By knowing the areas of spiritual growth from meditation that are possible, it becomes easier to create some small action or resolution for the day.
All you need is to form one small action item in one area of spiritual growth to have a resolution.
Areas of Spiritual Growth from Meditative Prayer:
Achieving greater growth in virtue (these are varied and numerous, human & spiritual)
Lessening the habits of venial sins, and ending mortal sin
Increasing growth particularly in the virtues of humility, courage, and gratitude which are fundamental to praying
Having and showing care for the spiritual and material good of others, that is, charity, a fundamental virtue that indicates a person who has a life of prayer
Taking interest in being taught and corrected in your personal moral life, as the Church teaches, believes, and professes, so as not to offend God or others
Recognizing oneself as a Christian in a cultural battle with the world whose standard of morality is moral relativism, which is “whatever the individual feels is right for themselves” regardless of the standards that God has naturally put in the makeup of human beings created by Him; a Christian, therefore, ordinarily opposes the godless standards of the world.
Seeing the Pope and Bishops of the world as the official teachers of faith and morals; using the teachings of the Church to know what living under the standard of God is and means for our daily life
Becoming more aware and concerned for imitating Christ’s life as seen in the Scripture, becoming more Christ-like
Becoming more selfless in our personal plans (or intentions) for the sake of others and as a sign of being led by the Holy Spirit to help build up God’s Kingdom on earth
Increasing one’s spirit of self-sacrifice and growing in disinterest in earthly things
Having a more accepting attitude about earthly suffering and seeing the spiritual value in it
Using God-given material gifts, talents, and socio-economic position to build up His Kingdom, as opposed to becoming selfishly obsessed with things and obsessively dependent on them, which is materialism
Becoming more responsible in the fulfillment of ordinary duties in whatever vocation God has given us
Seeing the practice of Christian perfectionism in the ordinary fulfillment of our role as disciple of Christ, whether we are married, a religious, or a single person
Growing in our desire for the things of God as our greatest treasure – prayer, Sacraments, Word of God, the Sacred Tradition of the Catholic Church, holy friendships, the saints and angels, selfless giving, and our ultimate goal of heaven
Turning toward holiness and life in the Church rather than being secular, which is the disregard for spiritual things and the indifference of living a religious life
Becoming more convinced of the unconditional love of God and our dependence on and friendship with Him
Understanding and seeking the forgiving and merciful love of God
Growing in awareness of God’s presence in the present moment
Seeing these areas of spiritual growth, from practicing meditative prayer over time, can help in forming resolutions.