If you want to feel closer to God, say goodbye to these 9 behaviors

Feeling closer to God isn’t just about prayer and worship; it’s also about letting go of certain behaviors.

There’s a big difference between merely practicing religion and truly living a life that draws you closer to God. The difference? It comes down to behavior.

Retaining certain habits can form a barrier between you and the divine. These are habits that, while they may seem trivial or even natural, can create a gulf between you and your spirituality.

In this article, we’re going to explore nine such behaviors. Saying goodbye to these may not be easy, but it’s a step towards feeling more in tune with God.

So, if you’re striving for spiritual growth, stick around. You might find some habits you’d like to kick to the curb.

1) Living a life of dishonesty

Dishonesty often acts as a significant barrier between us and God.

Consider this. We’re called to live a life of truth, reflecting God’s own nature. However, in our day-to-day lives, dishonest practices can creep in, often without us even realizing.

These could range from telling white lies, to cheat someone, or even being dishonest with ourselves. Each act of dishonesty is like putting up a wall between us and God.

Think about it. Every time we are dishonest, we are choosing to turn away from the path God has set for us. This not only impacts our relationship with others but also with God.

So if you want to feel closer to God, take a step back and examine your life. Are there areas where you’re being dishonest? Saying goodbye to this behavior could be your first step towards a deeper spiritual connection.

2) Holding onto grudges

Holding onto grudges can be like carrying a heavy weight around your neck. I learned this the hard way.

A few years back, I had a falling out with a close friend. Misunderstandings led to harsh words and before we knew it, we weren’t speaking to each other anymore. I felt wronged and held onto that grudge tightly.

But over time, I noticed something strange. My prayers felt hollow and I felt distant from God. The joy I once felt during worship was now replaced with a gnawing sense of unease.

One day, in a moment of quiet reflection, it hit me. I was letting my grudge stand in the way of my relationship with God. That bitterness had consumed me so much that it had begun to affect my spiritual life.

So, I decided to let go. It wasn’t easy, but when I finally forgave my friend, I felt lighter. And most importantly, I felt closer to God.

So from personal experience, I can tell you this: if you want to feel closer to God, learn to let go of your grudges. It might be difficult, but the spiritual freedom you’ll gain is worth it.

3) Neglecting self-care

In our busy lives, self-care often falls by the wayside. We prioritize work, family, and friends, but forget to take care of ourselves. What we often fail to realize is that neglecting our physical health can impact our spiritual well-being too.

The Bible, in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, reminds us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. When we neglect our physical health, we’re essentially disregarding this sacred space.

Sleep deprivation, poor nutrition, and lack of exercise not only harm our bodies but can also cloud our minds and inhibit our spiritual growth. We may find it harder to focus during prayer or lose the mental strength to resist temptation.

If you want to feel closer to God, it’s essential to start taking care of yourself physically. Remember, a healthy body nurtures a healthy spirit.

4) Being judgmental

We’ve all caught ourselves passing judgment on others at some point. However, this is a behavior that can create a distance between us and God.

When we judge others, we place ourselves in a position of moral superiority, which is not our place. Furthermore, it distracts us from our own spiritual growth. Instead of focusing on our faults and areas for improvement, we’re busy pointing out the flaws of others.

Moreover, being judgmental goes against the teachings of love, understanding, and acceptance that God encourages.

If you want to feel closer to God, strive to replace judgment with empathy and understanding. Remember, we’re all on different spiritual journeys and it’s not our role to judge but to love and support each other.

5) Living in the past

We all have regrets, mistakes, and moments we wish we could take back. However, constantly dwelling in the past can act as a roadblock in our journey towards God.

Living in the past prevents us from fully embracing the present and future that God has planned for us. It fills us with guilt and keeps us from moving forward.

God’s grace offers us forgiveness for our past and hope for our future. By accepting this grace and letting go of past mistakes, we allow ourselves to walk more closely with Him.

So if you want to feel closer to God, learn to forgive yourself and let go of your past. Accept His grace and focus on the present journey and future promise.

6) Neglecting to help others

At the core of many faiths is the call to love and serve others. When we neglect this, we are not only missing out on an essential element of our faith but also distancing ourselves from God.

Helping others isn’t just about grand gestures. It’s in the small acts of kindness too. A comforting word, a listening ear, a meal for someone in need – these can make a world of difference.

There’s something incredibly beautiful and humbling about putting someone else’s needs before our own. It mirrors God’s love for us and brings us closer to understanding His heart.

So, if you want to feel closer to God, don’t overlook opportunities to help others. In serving others, we serve Him and in doing so, draw nearer to His heart.

7) Ignoring quiet time with God

In the hustle and bustle of life, finding a quiet moment to connect with God often seems like a luxury. I once found myself so caught up in my daily routine that days turned into weeks without me having a moment of solitude with God.

This absence of quiet time with God created a sense of emptiness within me. My prayers felt rushed, my reading of scripture was distracted, and I felt a growing distance from God.

Recognizing this, I made a commitment to set aside a specific time each day for solitude with God. This time became my spiritual anchor. It was during these moments of silence and reflection that I truly felt my connection with God deepen.

If you want to feel closer to God, make quiet time with Him a non-negotiable part of your day. It doesn’t have to be long, but it should be consistent. This practice can strengthen your spiritual connection and draw you closer to Him.

8) Living without gratitude

Gratitude is more than just saying thank you. It’s a mindset, a way of seeing the world. When we live without gratitude, we often end up focusing on what we lack rather than appreciating what we have.

This lack of gratitude can create a barrier between us and God. It can make us feel dissatisfied and disconnected from the blessings He has bestowed upon us.

Conversely, living with gratitude opens our hearts to God’s abundant love. It helps us see His handiwork in our lives and deepens our connection with Him.

If you want to feel closer to God, cultivate a habit of gratitude. Take time each day to acknowledge and appreciate God’s blessings in your life. This simple practice can profoundly transform your relationship with Him.

9) Trying to control everything

Our desire to control every aspect of our lives can often create a wedge between us and God. This need for control can stem from fear, insecurity or a lack of trust.

When we try to control everything, we’re essentially saying that we don’t trust God’s plan for our lives. It’s like trying to navigate a ship without a compass.

Surrendering control to God is essential for drawing closer to Him. It involves trusting in His wisdom, timing, and plan, even when things don’t make sense.

If you want to feel closer to God, let go of your need for control. Trust in His guidance and let Him steer your life. It may not always be easy, but it’s the path to a deeper, more fulfilling relationship with Him.

Embrace the journey

The path to feeling closer to God is a personal journey that varies for each individual.

It entails more than just saying goodbye to certain behaviors. It’s about embracing a lifestyle that aligns with divine teachings and values.

The Bible, in Romans 12:2, urges us not to conform to the pattern of this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. This transformation involves letting go of behaviors that inhibit our spiritual growth and adopting practices that draw us closer to God.

Whether it’s cultivating gratitude, serving others, or surrendering control, each step we take brings us closer to Him.

This journey may not always be easy, but it’s worthwhile. As we let go of these behaviors, we open ourselves up to a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God.

Remember, it’s not about achieving perfection but striving for growth and connection. So as you reflect on these behaviors, consider the ones that resonate with you and begin your journey towards a closer relationship with God.