SPIRITUAL GROWTH - 3 DANGEROUS MYTHS THAT ZAP MOTIVATION TO GROW IN FAITH

(And the Truth About Them)

By any indicator, interest in Catholic spiritual growth is at an all-time low. Why is this? Wouldn't you think that every Catholic would be hungry to deepen her relationship with God? I think part of the problem is that Catholics have bought into some dangerous myths. These myths rob us of any desire to strive for spiritual growth. Have you fallen for any of these falsehoods? !See the full article at: http://EzineArticles.com/8096500

Introduction

Of course God loves you.

Myth #1: God loves me just as I am

And you don’t have to do anything to earn that love.

Myth #1: God loves me just as I am

But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t want you to change . . .

Myth #1: God loves me just as I am

. . . for your own good!

Myth #1: God loves me just as I am

Because God loves us, He wants what is best for us.

Fact

He invites us to a life of conversion

Fact

powered by the Holy Spirit

Fact

to become conformed to Christ.

Fact

You don’t have to change so God will love you.

Fact

You change because you respond to God’s love & invitation.

Fact

You change to enter into a life-changing relationship with God

Fact

rather than just giving it lip service.

Fact

Faith is a gift.

Myth#2: Faith is a gift, you either have it or you don't.

It is given to us as part of the grace we receive in baptism.

Myth#2: Faith is a gift, you either have it or you don't.

But your muscles are a gift from God too.

Fact

You did nothing to earn them.

Fact

But if you don’t exercise them, they get weak and atrophied.

Fact

Faith works the same way. Exercise it or get weak and flabby.

Fact

After all, we live in busy times. Everyone has so much to do and so little time to do it.

Myth #3: God understands that we're too busy to spend time with him

Surely God would forgive us for not having time to pray or to study our faith or to develop virtue. Right?

Myth #3: God understands that we're too busy to spend time with him

To know, love and serve God is the very reason for our existence.

Fact

Everything else is a “backburner item.”

Fact

If God isn't our top priority in life, we have work to do!

Fact

If you're too busy to pray or grow in your Catholic faith, then you are making God one priority among many rather than your main priority.

Fact

Not good.

Fact

IF YOU CAN AVOID THESE THREE MYTHS OF CATHOLIC SPIRITUAL GROWTH, YOU WILL BE POSITIONED REALLY WELL TO START GROWING IN YOUR CATHOLIC FAITH.

Now that we've busted these myths about Catholic spiritual growth, are you ready to get started? You can get the t r a i n i n g , s u p p o r t , a n d discipleship you need. Join other motivated Catholics and From the Abbey as we grow together in our faith by forming our "inner abbey."

Discover five Keys to Spiritual Growth in a free video series at http://www.fromtheabbey.com. This series will introduce you to five key areas of Catholic spirituality that every Catholic needs to nurture and strengthen in order to deepen their relationship with God.

Brought to you by Jeffrey Arrowood, founder of the From the Abbey Catholic educational apostolate - encouraging you to rediscover the JOY of learning and living your faith so you can grow in intimacy with God.