I’ve been following Jesus for 29 years, and I’ll tell you plainly: I’m still growing. Spiritual maturity isn’t a finish line you cross — it’s a direction you walk. And the beautiful thing is, you can look back and see how far He’s brought you.
I know where I started. There was a season when my reactions ran my life. Somebody hurt me, I hurt them back. Something went wrong, I spiraled. My mouth moved faster than my prayers ever did. That was the old me — controlled by my circumstances, manipulated by my emotions, conformed to a world that taught me escape was the answer.
But God doesn’t leave us where He finds us. I wrote in my journal once: “Our behavior shows our spiritual maturity — especially under pressure.” Pressure doesn’t create what’s in you — it reveals it. And little by little, God has been changing what’s in me.
Here’s what I’ve learned maturity actually looks like:
1. You react differently. The old me would’ve snapped. Now I pause, I pray, and I choose wisdom. Self-control is a sign of spiritual growth — maturity shows up in your responses.
2. You recognize distractions faster. Every opportunity isn’t God. Every connection isn’t covenant. Every open door isn’t destiny. You learn to discern.
3. You obey quicker. I used to delay obedience until it was convenient or I understood everything. Mature faith obeys when it’s inconvenient, costly, or unclear.
4. You can have peace without answers. You stop needing every detail. You stop demanding full clarity. You trust God in the process, not just the outcome. Peace is proof of trust.
5. You value presence over performance. You stop chasing platforms and start chasing God. You stop trying to be impressive and start trying to be surrendered.
I look at the spiritually mature women God has placed in my life — and what sets them apart isn’t perfection. It’s compassion. Kindness. Understanding. They’re non-judgmental, and their faith in Jesus is the real thing. That’s the kind of maturity I’m growing toward.
And here’s the daily work: “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.” — 2 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV). Not to condemn yourself — to grow. I ask myself: what would Jesus do here? Am I being controlled by my circumstances, or led by my Savior?
One prayer I pray often says it best: “Father God, I can do nothing of myself. Please show me what you are doing, so I can do the same thing.” That’s maturity — not independence from God, but dependence on Him. The more I need Him, the more I grow.
So if you’re wondering whether you’re growing — look back. Are you reacting differently than you used to? Trusting Him with less proof than you once demanded? Then you’re maturing, friend. Keep going. He’s not finished with any of us yet.
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