Years ago, I embarked on a weight loss program. I was tired of the yo-yo dieting, sleepless nights, and dizzying mood swings. As I spoke to the representative, she explained that it was a Keto-style program. I would have to say goodbye to sugar and processed carbs.

Since I’m not a sweets person, I knew I’d be ok with the elimination of sugar. However, when she mentioned that this also included the sugar for my coffee, I rebelled. Don’t mess with my coffee!

Now…the other part – giving up processed carbs was a bit tougher to accept. This meant no bread, pasta, chips, and everything else I enjoy eating. In my heart of hearts, I truly believed I would die without these foods. How does one sustain life without pasta and Fritos? 

Yet, I decided to give it a try.  I dropped the weight, my mind became clearer, and I began to sleep better. For the first time in my life, I have been able to maintain the weight loss for more than a minute.

“It’s not a diet. It’s a lifestyle.” I wanted to smack people when they said this about their own weight loss journeys. I didn’t want a lifestyle of not eating pasta and bread! I wanted a one and done miracle. However, one and done was not getting it done.

Growing our faith is somewhat like this. It is not something you do twice a year, but rather something you do every day. Faith is a lifestyle. 

I’ve heard people say “Oh, I wish I had their faith” as if faith is something that magically falls out of the sky. Just like those pesky ten pounds won’t fall off magically, your faith does not grow by wishing and hoping. So, then…how does it grow?

First, it starts with a decision. You decide to lose weight. You decide to grow (or begin) your faith walk.

Second, you take steps to follow a weight loss program. You decide to read your Bible every day, or listen to a teaching, or join a church.

Third, you walk out your decision. You eat well or exercise every day. You read your Bible or listen to a teaching regularly.

Fourth, rinse and repeat. 

You have now made a lifestyle change. You now have habits and behaviors that contribute to your physical health. Likewise, you have habits that contribute to your spiritual health.

As each pound falls away, you get thinner and stronger. As God through His Word reveals more of Himself to you, you get closer to Him. Your faith grows stronger.

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17 NKJV)

You no longer crave the foods that caused you to gain weight. You no longer want to live a life without God. 

Think about the twelve apostles. They were fisherman and tax collectors and regular people. Then they met Jesus…and because of spending day after day with Him for three years, they developed a lifestyle of faith.

However, there were many people who “quit” and walked away from Jesus even after spending days and weeks and months with Him. That was a lifestyle change many could not accept. 

When you make the decision to follow Jesus, to grow your faith, to develop a lifestyle of faith, you will see results. You will no longer have to wish or hope for strong faith. You’ll have it. You’ll also have joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control as it says in Galatians 5:22-23.

Rome wasn’t built in a day. You won’t lose ten pounds in a day. But over time, with persistence, change happens. Growing your faith is a lifestyle change…

And it can begin today.