How has your faith walk been lately? It's okay to say it's been challenging, because it has been for many of us! The world doesn't make it any easier, does it? Especially in this new digital age. Distraction and anxiety are the names of the game these days, with constant news from media outlets alerting us of every awful thing that's happening in the world. When we talk to other Christians, the predominant feeling we're sensing is overwhelm. Whether it be from our smartphones, the endless news cycle, or just the pressures of living in a post-Christian world. It's a lot to manage on its own, so how are we expected to grow in our faith and live boldly as we're called to in Scripture? 

In today's blog post, we're looking to the Bible to gain clarity and courage on leading a meaningful life in our post-Christian world. Let's get into it! 

1. Community Is Key

"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." ~ 1 John 1:7

First and foremost, we must get plugged into a network of other believers if we expect to stay encouraged in our daily walk. Needless to say, being a Christian in today's modern world is hard. Nearly everywhere we go, we're faced with rhetoric that's either blatantly anti-Christian, or just a subtle jab, to say the least. We live in a world where God is not at the center, in a kingdom where the king is not celebrated. While we may know the truth about who Jesus is and how powerful He is, sometimes that doesn't seem to make life any easier. We can still feel isolated in our belief, and that's where the power of community comes in. 

We were not created to live in solitude. We are social creatures, and we were designed this way by God Himself! When you look at passages in Genesis versus Revelation, you see how God created life in a garden. That's where humanity began. If we look at Revelation to see God's ultimate vision for human flourishing, you'll see that we are to end in a city in heaven, surrounded by others, all of us living life together and serving God. From a garden to a city. Our ultimate end is to enjoy God forever and live alongside others, too. There is power in that.

2. Scripture As Top Priority

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." ~ 2 Timothy 3:16

While the Bible was written thousands of years ago, it is a living, breathing piece of literature that is in our life for a reason. Because it is inspired by God, Scripture is so much more than a history book of epic events that happened long before our time, it serves as a guidebook for Christian living. Namely, it houses the story of Jesus and He is our ultimate example of how to live well and serve God here on earth. Whether it be the Old Testament accounts of Abraham or Moses, or the Gospels and Epistles found in the New Testament, we can always look to Scripture to find exactly what we need in the moment—to live out our lives in a bold new way. 

However, navigating the Bible can be hard, too! Rarely, you can just open it up and find something that speaks to the struggle you're going through. After all, it is a massive piece of ancient literature with 66 books! That's why we suggest investing in a tool that can help you better understand where to find the verses you need. Consider a Bible commentary, study, or podcast, even. In fact, we created a blog post on the Top 10 Christian Women's Podcasts, so check it out if you need some recommendations. These are invaluable tools to help you feel more comfortable with this ancient text, and they'll give you the specific information you need to feel encouraged. 

 3. Establish a Rhythm That Works for You

"Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." ~ Psalm 143:8

In many ways, God equips us with the power to make our own decisions in our daily lives. We're given the precious gift of time, and we're expected to use it well. That's why we're all about establishing a spiritual rhythm or routine that leaves us feeling refreshed and courageous. It's not enough to stumble throughout the day and expect to feel reassured or happy. Chances are, we're met with negativity, distraction, anxiety, and sin. We can't emphasize enough how important it is to have a rhythm, or a game plan in place so you can move throughout the day prepared for what's to come. 

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes." ~ Ephesians 6:10-11

We love this call to action that Paul gives us here. We should be starting our day with this in mind. From the moment we wake up, we're on a mission in a very dark, dangerous world. We'll need to armor up with God's word, get involved in a Christian community, and more. We'd like to think this verse perfectly encapsulates our need for a spiritual rhythm in our life—to be awake and fully diligent with every moment of our day.

So you may be thinking, what kind of spiritual rhythm do you have in mind? This could be many different things, but we like to think of this as the ultimate morning-to-evening routine. Remember our blog post on the 7 Ways to Build the Best Morning Routine with Jesus? It's like that but for your entire day. For example, it's starting the day in Scripture, turning off your phone, making time for prayer, and  reaching out to friends and loved ones. There's no exact formula for this, but you should fill your day with things that bring you joy, aid in your journey to discipleship, and equip you with wisdom and encouragement to face the day. 

Encouragement Found in Unlikely Places

Just think of how the Lord plans to use you! He has great plans in store for you, and we hope you're reminded of that today. Consider these few suggestions as ways to armor up and live boldly in a dark world. There is still hope and encouragement, if only we seek it out and invite God's transformative power into our lives. Remember that you are never alone in your faith. We're so happy to have you as part of our LiF community. If you're looking for more ways to live boldly, check out our selection of Christian apparel, with collections featuring some of your favorite verses and imagery as a reminder of the great plans He has for you.

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