The other day my daughter and I were talking about my age. After telling her how old I was she said, “Daddy, you are old.” I then said, “If I’m old what does that make your grandparents?” She paused and pondered for a moment then responded, “They’re ancient!” Not sure if that is the best way to tell someone their age but it worked for her.

The truth is we all get older everyday, but not necessarily wiser. In my eBook “Everything You Need To Know About Wisdom” I talk about the myth many people believe which is “The older I get the wiser I become.” But age does not necessarily bring wisdom. Don’t get me wrong…it can bring wisdom…but it doesn’t automatically bring wisdom. Wisdom and maturity come from learning not aging. Many people go through their entire life without growing in wisdom. Maturity is not a number, it is a lifestyle. And more specifically a lifestyle of learning and growing.

The key is to mature faster than you age. You can spiritually mature no matter what age you are. In fact, we should be maturing each and every day. The faster we mature in Christ the older we become spiritually. We grow up and are able to walk in a more mature faith than before.

1 Corinthians 13:11

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 

The apostle Paul understood how to mature and grow older by leaving immature ways of thinking behind. Unfortunately there are a lot of adults who are sill playing with childish attitudes and actions. In order to live a fulfilled life it requires us to spiritual grow up and take responsibility for our lives. We should be going from glory to glory as the Bible says.

Here are 3 signs you are growing spiritually older…

1. Forgiveness Gets Easier Not Harder

As you mature forgiveness should become a part of your DNA more and more. When others hurt you there is a maturity that keeps you from being a victim to the hurt. As we grow in our relationship with God we need to become more like Him, and He forgave at all costs.

2. Your Attitude Inspires Others Rather Than Anger Them

As we grow our attitude will reflect the character of God more and more as well. This means that we are more consistent with our moods rather than being inconsistent. Teenagers that are hormonally changing have mood swings as a result of their maturing but it evens out later in life. In the same way our spiritual attitude will become more and more consistent as we grow.

3. Discerning God’s Direction Becomes Clearer

As you grow you dial in to God’s frequency more and more. Rather than becoming more confused in life we should be gaining clarity. As a life, business, and leadership coach I help individuals clarify their goals and strategies to achieve success. As we work together we discern a clear path through the chaos of busyness. In the same way God coaches us as we draw close to Him. The closer we get to Him the easier it is to hear His voice.