In a culture that often prioritizes external achievements and busyness, the importance of self-reflection and introspection can easily be overlooked. However, these practices hold tremendous value for Christians in cultivating spiritual growth and deepening our relationship with God. By carving out intentional space for self-reflection, we invite the Holy Spirit to illuminate our hearts, reveal areas for growth, and allow transformative work to take place within us. This blog will explore the significance of self-reflection and introspection in the Christian journey. A Call for Stillness and Solitude: In the busyness of our lives, finding moments of stillness and solitude can be challenging. Yet, it is crucial to make room for self-reflection. Jesus often retreated to solitary places to pray and commune with the Father (Mark 1:35, Luke 5:16). Following in His footsteps can create a space free from distractions, allowing us to listen to God's voice and gain clarity on our thoughts and emotions. I often enter my quiet time with an agenda. What do I want to ask myself? What do I want to learn from myself? Take a few moments to thank me for all that I do. Introspection differs from meditation in that I seek the deeper me through interaction with myself. I hold the questions, and I have the answers. I am seeking more than I am contemplating. What am I seeking? Answers to my behaviors, goals, thoughts, and life. I am very focused on this opening stage of introspection and self-reflection. I do not seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit because I am trying to know myself better. Because I do not seek God at this opening stage, I feel a bit strange or alone. Perhaps several decades of entering quiet sacred spaces have caused me to seek God whenever I find silent solace. This part of my inner journey is working without a divine safety net. Personal introspection can be disturbing if you are a critical thinker. I encourage you to be gentle with yourself and carefully honest. Acknowledging Our Imperfections: Self-reflection necessitates honesty and humility. It allows us to acknowledge our imperfections, weaknesses, and areas where we fall short of God's standards. While this can be unsettling, recognizing our need for God's grace leads to a deeper understanding of our dependency on God. By honestly assessing our lives, we invite the Holy Spirit to transform and sanctify us, molding us into the likeness of Christ. I gladly invite the Holy Spirit to be with me at his point of my inner journey. I usually find reasons for three reactions. I need forgiveness for a behavior. I need guidance in my spiritual/physical life. I have reason to celebrate. Do not leave number three off your introspection chart. One of the casualties of introspection among critical thinkers is overlooking the need to celebrate what you’ve done and who you are. When I come across a life gem that gives me a reason to celebrate something in my life, the Holy Spirit is often the first to hear me rejoicing. Alignment with God's Will: Self-reflection and introspection help us align our lives with God's will. As we examine our thoughts, motives, and actions, we can evaluate whether they align with the teachings of Jesus and the principles outlined in Scripture. It enables us to identify areas that require repentance, surrender, and a renewed focus on serving God and others. People with strong egos and flourishing spirits often clash at this point. That is why introspection is vital. We must align with God's will to become what God wants us to be. It becomes far less about me and more about God at this point. Even though this is a journey of self-discovery and introspection, we may have missed the mark if we don’t find God’s will tied to our souls. I strive to be what God wants me to become. Growth and Character Development: Self-reflection fosters personal growth and character development. By examining the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, we can discern areas that need development or pruning (Galatians 5:22-23). As we humbly surrender these areas to God, we are empowered to grow in love, kindness, patience, and other Christlike attributes. Through self-reflection, we can identify areas of progress and those requiring further attention, leading us to become mature disciples of Jesus. When I was a district supervisor, I did an annual self-evaluation. Then I would call two pastors to ask them for feedback. I need to understand my self-perception compared to those I supervised. Deepening Intimacy with God: Introspection is not merely a self-focused exercise but a means to deepen our intimacy with God. We invite God to speak into our lives as we reflect on past experiences, relationships, and decisions. Through prayer, meditation on Scripture, and journaling, we open ourselves to divine guidance. Self-reflection becomes a space where we can hear God's voice, experience God’s loving presence, and receive wisdom for the path ahead. Even though we are doing self-reflection or introspection, if we don’t encounter God in our inward journey, we have definitely missed the mark. I believe that God is closer to us than hands and feet and more a part of us than life itself. Nothing is closer to us than the Spirit of God, so we should not be surprised if we always encounter God on our inner journeys. As one of three authors of the first-person voice of God daily devotionals (God Calling, Jesus Calling, and My Spirit Calling), I was acutely aware of listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit during my writing. I never thought I was the Holy Spirit writing the book, but I always felt the Holy Spirit was speaking through me. Our relationship needs to be so close to God that we can feel the holy presence of God in most of what we do in life. Ultimately what we do, we do for the glory of God. If that is true, should we not feel empowered and emboldened by God as we do the divine work we are called to do? Do not be surprised if you meet God on the road to introspection.