Having a strong spiritual life is important and highly valuable, but sometimes you may feel like you don’t have the strength you want in that area. Fortunately, there are ways you can improve your spiritual life and make it stronger.

Not only does that add value to your time here, but it may also be a blessing to those you come into contact with on your journey. Here are some of the best ways to make your spiritual life stronger, so you can develop your faith more fully and draw closer to God.

Develop Connections With Your Faith Community

The spiritual part of your life can be stronger and more complete when you’re interacting with others who share your thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. Spiritual areas may also benefit when you spend time encouraging others, or listening to those whose faith is extremely strong.

If you aspire to have a more fulfilling spiritual life, working with people who have strong faith and people who need to hear more about the value of faith can both be beneficial. Believers are stronger together, and you may be able to help people in your faith community in certain areas, even while you’re being assisted in other ways.

Journal Your Thoughts, Prayers, and Fears

When you can’t spend time with others, or you have feelings you want to keep private, a journal can be a great way to strengthen your spiritual life. You can explore how you feel, what you’re thinking, your fears and dreams, and how everything ties in with your faith.

As you write, and give yourself permission to be open and honest, you may see specific areas where you have concerns, or where you feel weak or uncertain. These are the areas you can bring to your faith community, or a trusted advisor, so you can receive guidance and work on spiritual strength.

Practice the Art of Forgiving Others—And Yourself

Forgiveness can be difficult, even though it’s extremely important. If you’ve been wronged, or hurt by something another person has done, letting it go may take some work. You might also feel uncomfortable with past choices you’ve made, and struggle to forgive yourself for being human and making mistakes.

While forgiving yourself and others can take some practice, it’s one of the best ways to make your spiritual life stronger. When you forgive you draw closer to God, and experience His love for His children as you freely give that same kind of unconditional love to others, and to yourself.

Speak With a Trusted Pastor or Counselor

Even if you have concerns that are very private, if those issues are weighing on your heart or making it hard to find peace, reaching out to people you trust can make a difference. You may want to have a meeting with your pastor, or talk with a church counselor about a struggle you’re facing.

Making your spiritual life better and stronger often comes from the openness and honesty of seeking God’s Word through those who follow and honor Him. As you speak with trusted members of your faith community for guidance, you can improve your closeness to God and bring the spiritual part of your life more strongly into focus.