Spiritual Development Archives | Longview Christian Counseling

Practical Tips for Building Your Relationship with God

Practical Tips for Building Your Relationship with God

Melissa Plantz2026-04-10T12:25:06+00:00February 27th, 2026|Featured, Individual Counseling, Spiritual Development|

Your relationship with God is more important than any other relationship you will form. To be close to the Creator, the One who has known you since before you were born, should make you feel loved. But many people struggle in their relationship with God. They don’t know much about Him, and what they do know is mostly head knowledge, what they learned in Sunday School or Bible studies. But a personal relationship with God allows His Spirit to move around and through you. It is about knowing that you can come to Him directly and ask for His forgiveness, grace, and wisdom. That personal relationship transforms you so that not only are you in His likeness and image, but you display the character of God. Ways to Build Your Relationship with God Often, we struggle in our relationship with God because we neglect to spend time with Him, whether in prayer, worship, or reading the Bible. We allow our schedules to drown out spending five to thirty minutes a day forming the most important relationship we will ever have. The following are several ways you can grow in your relationship with God: Spend More Time in Prayer. Before you get out of bed in the morning and drift off at night, spend a few minutes praying. This does not need to be a formal prayer, although that is fine. You want to pray from your heart. Thank God for the day, confess anything troubling you, and ask for His wisdom and guidance. Bring your concerns before Him and praise Him for being the Almighty Creator. Worship in the Moment. You can fit in worship moments throughout your day. For example, listen to a worship song or album during your commute or while making dinner. Or make up your [...]

Facing Abandonment and Neglect From Family as a New Christian

Grace Mavindidze2026-03-26T12:46:21+00:00October 28th, 2025|Abandonment and Neglect, Featured, Individual Counseling, Relationship Issues, Spiritual Development|

Choosing to follow Jesus is one of the best decisions you have ever made. For many new believers, though, it can also be difficult because some family members may distance themselves or even reject your new faith. Many people who begin their walk with Christ find themselves facing the pain of family rejection. These emotions are real, and it’s important to remember that God sees your hurt and is with you every step of the way. When we face abandonment and neglect, especially from family, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The transition into a new life in Christ can be difficult enough on its own, but when the people you love most seem distant or unsupportive, you may feel isolated, misunderstood, and discouraged. Through it all, God’s love is a constant source of strength, and He has a plan for your healing and growth. Your new faith can be the foundation you need to navigate these tough moments, knowing that God will never leave you or forsake you. New Changes in Your Life and Faith Journey As you take steps in your new faith, you may begin to notice shifts in your values, your behavior, and even your relationships. It’s completely natural for your faith in Christ to change the way you live and see the world. These changes sometimes cause friction, especially with family members who do not share your new beliefs. If your family is struggling to accept your faith, it’s natural to feel conflicted or hurt. Remember, however, the changes you’re experiencing are part of your spiritual growth and transformation. Change is hard. The people around you may need more time to understand your new way of life. Give yourself grace during this time. Growth takes time, and it’s okay to experience uncertainty. One of the hardest [...]

The Greatest Love of All: Jesus’ Blueprint for Relationships

Kate Motaung2024-12-27T11:41:47+00:00December 27th, 2024|Featured, Personal Development, Relationship Issues, Spiritual Development|

Much emphasis is placed on Biblical teaching about loving God and people, and rightly so. It is the pinnacle of the Christian faith by which others will know the believers who make up the Body of Christ (John 13:35). Furthermore, the love that we demonstrate will cause others to know God Himself. It is love alone, not fear or shame, that draws people to Jesus. In being magnetized to His lovingkindness, we find that Love is the most radical force we could ever encounter. God Himself is Love. By Him, everything visible has materialized by His spoken Word from the realm of the unseen (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16-17). The Love of God sparks and sustains relationships, underscoring our connection with others. Love is the foundation that builds community, as Jesus illustrated by engaging those who followed Him and believed. We who abide in Him learn to live sacrificially, sharpening one another, offering strength and support to live in vibrant interdependence as one diversified Body. Less than a half-century ago, an older song rebounded from obscurity, climbing its way into a hit popularized by a budding pop sensation.[1] In the remake, the songstress ascended the music charts, belting with boldness that, “learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all.” Jesus was the first to highlight the connection between loving God, ourselves, and our neighbors (Matthew 22:36-40). Long before these lyrics were set to music, Jesus knew that we would need to have a sense of how loved we are by God. We need this encouragement to follow His divine example to love and serve, even to the point of sacrifice. This song intersects with Scripture, illustrating how the Father’s Love activated in us allows us to respond to God, to serve Him and others well. Greater love has [...]

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