My Spiritual Journey: Struggles, Successes, and Turning Points - Essay Sample

Introduction

A lot of things have happened in my spiritual life, with many people and events influencing my faith. In most instances, the happenings have not had immediate or distinct meanings, but things tend to unravel with time, and their interpretations become clear. The journey had not been smooth with several setbacks, which often presented critical insights and marked my turning points. Nonetheless, I have achieved various successes along with the voyage excursion which has strengthened my faith besides making me a dedicated Christian. My spiritual formation path has been marked by events, people, challenges, and successes, all of which have laid my foundation in faith.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

I was raised in a conservative and religious environment with my parents being staunch Lutherans. At around age 8, when I was learning how to read, one of the most popular books I encountered was the bible. Several concepts in the text, including the holy trinity-three persons in one, and resurrection, awed me. I found them intriguing, and as I mastered the art of reading, the bible became an all-time companion. Although I knew little about faith, the narratives in the text were highly intriguing. The questions that intrigued my mind included, where did the universe come from? What is its purpose? (Grudem, 2005, 53). However, the bible seemed to provide some answers to such concerns.

Several events influenced my spiritual development. When I was 12, my mother was diagnosed with diabetes. Being one of the core pillars of our home, it affected us much as we all feared to lose her through the illness. After several months of medications and fervent prayer, she was healed and resumed her regular duties. This event taught me that God is blessed, and he delights in things that reflect his character (Grudem, 2005, 42). I believed that it was through our prayerfulness that my mom healed, and God brought back happiness and delight in our family. Since then, I have always strived to lead a religious life.

Another event was when my parents celebrated their twentieth anniversary. This celebration led me to reflect on how God had been gracious to them throughout their journey. They reminisced the various sufferings they had undergone in their marriage life and how they had overcome them to raise us into the current state. I could not help but liken their experience to that of the martyrs who saw God's presence in their tribulations and accepted their sufferings (Jones, 2013, 34). Their life was proof of God's omnipotence as he had kept them together for this long. Subsequently, my faith in him got strengthened, and I always believe that everything is possible through him.

Several failures marked my crucial turning points in the spiritual journey. One of my biggest letdowns was engaging in good deeds to feel significant among my peers. I did several positive acts expecting that the people would reciprocate while confusing it for doing God's work. I was often frustrated as I felt they did not recognize my efforts. However, I later read the scriptures, which enlightened me on the purpose of such acts (Grudem, 2005, 13). I realized that they would have a spiritual impact if they were meant for the benefit of others. I learned that a personal relationship with God was essential than seeking acceptance among people (Jones, 2013, 34). Since then, in spiritual acts, I focus on others' needs instead of mine and appreciate relieving their burdens.

Another crisis was when I thought I was better than my peers since I was spiritual. I criticized everyone who did not seem religious hoping this approach would help in winning them to become spiritual. Contrarily, most of them saw me as proud and shunned me. I learned that through such acts, I was not protecting the gospel, which is a core Christian calling (Jones, 2013, 175). I decided to change and embrace all people around me, their beliefs notwithstanding. I appreciated that being spiritual did not make me superior but was instead a calling for humility and service.

Nevertheless, I have had several successes that have marked vital turning points. My most significant achievement was joining a fellowship team in high school as it molded me into the current person. Through the group, I met likeminded persons who guided me through my spiritual journey and offered the necessary counsel. Subsequently, I became steadfast in my faith, and since they guarded my essential beliefs in Christianity (Jones, 2013, 58). While previously, I had been influenced by peers who swayed my faith, the fellowship was a turning point as I grew stronger in faith.

Overall, my spiritual journey has been marked with many events, both positive and negative. My parents set a solid foundation and presented an ideal example of the life of faith that I should follow. This foundation ensured I remained stable in the face of various challenges. However, on some occasions, I tripped and lost track of the spiritual life. Therefore, it has been a journey with ups and downs, all of which have contributed to my spiritual steadfastness.

References

Grudem, W. (2005). Christian beliefs. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

Jones, T. P. (2013). Rose Bible Basics: Christian History Made Easy. Rose Publishing, Inc.