Deepening Relationship With God: Simple Ways to Grow Your Spiritual Identity
How many times have you heard someone say, "You need a relationship with God," and left church or Bible study thinking, but what does that even mean? Or maybe you’ve wondered, deep down, what it actually looks like to deepen your relationship with God in real, practical ways that fit into your actual, messy life. Friend, you are so not alone. I’ve had mornings where I look in the mirror and feel ten miles away from Jesus, but gratitude practices for healing can renew the heart. But here’s what I know – deepening relationship with God is possible, and it starts right where you are, not some far-off perfect version of yourself.
What Does Deepening Relationship With God Really Look Like?
Let me tell you about a conversation I had on our latest podcast episode, where we talked about being made in God’s image and hearing God’s voice daily. We kept coming back to this one thing – knowing about God is different than knowing God. There’s something personal, something tender, in our daily walk when we decide to actively invest in deepening relationship with God by moving from ritual to faith. I’m not talking about checking off a checklist or mastering a set of rules, but about healing from spiritual perfectionism. I’m talking about real connection, like you’d have with a close friend who knows every side of you – flaws, quirks, dreams, and all.
And I get it. Life is full. We have jobs, families, errands, expectations, and all these voices that tell us to perform, impress, perfect. But God isn’t looking for perfection – He’s looking for hearts willing to come close, even a little closer than yesterday, finding God in hard times. So much of what keeps us at a distance, honestly, are little lies we start to believe about ourselves, which is why dealing with doubt as Christian matters so much. Am I enough? Does God even notice me? Would He really want to hear what I have to say?
I remember feeling this exact way. But every single time I leaned in, even for five minutes, something shifted, reminding me why spiritual self care tips matter. The focus keyword for growth? Deepening relationship with God, every chance you get.
Why Is Recognizing Your Identity in Christ So Important?
Here’s the thing – when you look in the mirror, do you ever wonder who you’re seeing? We pick up ideas of who we are from childhood, from culture, from failed attempts and Instagram influencers. It gets crowded in our heads. But what if you settled for a moment and let God’s word set the tone for your identity, truly embracing identity and purpose?
In our conversation on the podcast, we talked about how essential it is to go back to Scripture and remember who God says you are. That’s the heart of deepening relationship with God. It’s replacing the old, tired scripts with His truth. I love Isaiah 41:10 (CSB): "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand." Remind yourself – God’s right here, holding on to you, just as you are.
Building your identity around His truth means letting go of comparison. Honestly, how many of us have tried to become a little more like so-and-so, or hidden parts of who we really are because we thought we weren’t enough? The truth is, deepening relationship with God starts with embracing that you are enough in Him. You don’t have to strive. You get to rest. Can I tell you how freeing that is?
Practical Steps for Deepening Relationship With God Every Day
Can we get super practical for a second? Sometimes we make things harder than they have to be, thinking that connecting with God only happens in long, quiet mornings or at the end of some spiritual retreat. Let me tell you what has helped me, and what our podcast guest shared that I can’t stop thinking about.
1. Start in the Word Even When You Don’t Know Where to Begin
Look, opening the Bible can feel intimidating, but you don’t have to read a whole book at once. I love picking just a verse or two that reminds me of God’s character and who I am to Him. Even sticking a sticky note on my bathroom mirror helps. The more I soak in His truth, the more my day shifts. This daily intake is a foundation for deepening relationship with God. And over time, you start hearing His words louder than those critical thoughts.
2. Talk to God Like You Would a Friend
There’s no script. Prayer isn’t about getting it right – it’s about getting real. I often pray in the car or while folding laundry – telling Him what’s hard, what I’m grateful for, what I dream about. I let Him into the little and the big moments. That kind of honest prayer life builds a deeper relationship with God. And it reminds me, He cares about every detail – not just the big stuff I bring to the altar on Sundays.
3. Surround Yourself With Truth and Encouragement
Some mornings, my mind races with everything I need to fix. It’s easy to be my own worst critic. But when I trade those thoughts for truth – like "I am fearfully and wonderfully made" – everything changes. Keeping a few favorite Scriptures handy helps me, and sharing them with friends builds community. The more we remind each other that deepening relationship with God is a daily, doable practice, the stronger we all become.
4. Stop Running From God When You Mess Up
Let’s be real. We all slip up. Maybe you yelled at your kids, skipped quiet time, or just feel distant. It’s tempting to pull away or hide. But something our podcast episode made clear is that God never withdraws His love. Instead of running away, run to Him. Bring your mess, your honest apologies, your confusion. That is part of deepening relationship with God. His grace always meets us where we are.
5. Keep Showing Up, Even When It Feels Uncomfortable
There will be days when you don’t feel holy, inspired, or put together. That’s okay. Faith isn’t about keeping up appearances – it’s about showing up and letting God show you what’s possible. If today you can only manage one honest prayer or a half-read Psalm, that’s enough. The act of seeking, even in weakness, is the heartbeat of a deeper relationship with God.
How Community Can Help Us Grow Our Spiritual Identity
I can’t overstate how much having community changes things. We need friends who point us back to truth and walk with us when things don’t go as planned. When we talk openly (like we did on the podcast), it sheds light on areas where we’re struggling or second-guessing ourselves. Faith wasn’t meant to be a solo journey. We need safe places to process doubts and celebrate progress. That’s how the process of deepening relationship with God grows roots – in the everyday, with everyday people.
- Share your real struggles with people you trust
- Pray for each other (even a text prayer counts!)
- Hold each other accountable to spending time in the Word
- Speak grace over each other, not just truth
- Celebrate every step forward, no matter how small
The more honest we are, both with God and with each other, the more we find freedom to grow. And the result? Our spiritual identity becomes steady, rooted in truth, and unshaken by the ups and downs of life.
Replacing Old Thoughts with God’s Truth Is a Daily Practice
Can I ask, what thoughts run through your mind first thing in the morning? For a long time, mine weren’t very kind. I had to decide – each day – to swap out harsh inner commentary for Scriptural reminders. That’s helped me so much. Deepening relationship with God means we get intentional about the voices we let shape us. 2 Corinthians 10:5 reminds us to "take every thought captive to obey Christ." When an old narrative pops up, pause and ask, is this what God says about me? If not, it goes. No shame. Just gentle redirection.
Sometimes, I set reminders on my phone or write out a new thought on a sticky note. If I’m having a rough day, I call a friend who will speak life over me. This isn’t about perfection. It’s about persistence in the right direction.
What If You Feel Stuck or Far from God?
Friend, I have been right there. Maybe you feel numb, busy, or unsure if God would even want to draw close to you. Can I encourage you – He is already so close, waiting for you to say anything, even if it’s just help. Don’t wait for a perfect mood, setting, or season. Deepening relationship with God often starts in the everyday mess, not once we’ve cleaned ourselves up.
A favorite practice of mine? Reading Song of Songs as if God is speaking directly to me. Our guest shared this tip on the podcast, and it unlocked a tenderness I needed. Try it. Ask, "God, how do You see me? Why do You love me?" and wait for Him to answer. He might use Scripture, a song, a friend’s encouragement. But He will answer. That’s the honest truth.
Don’t Miss the Small Steps – They Add Up in Big Ways
I want you to know – it’s not about sweeping change overnight. Some days, deepening relationship with God looks like one honest prayer and one true thing you repeat to yourself. A verse on your dashboard. Fifteen minutes of worship while you clean the kitchen. It all matters.
You don’t have to have all the answers. You don’t have to be anyone else. God loves you as you are, and every little step towards Him counts.
If something in this post stirred your heart, let me encourage you to listen to the full podcast episode. You’ll hear stories, laughter, and the kind of wisdom that feels like a warm hug on a hard day. And don’t forget – you matter to God, and this journey is so worth every step.
Let’s keep putting those perspectives into practice. Deepening relationship with God is less about being perfect and more about being present. And I can’t wait to walk this out together – one imperfect, beautiful day at a time.
Want more encouragement? Check out these related episodes and blog posts: Trusting God When Life Feels Uncertain, Finding Peace in Busy Seasons, and How to Read Your Bible When Feeling Lost. Let’s grow together.
