Building a personal relationship with God is something that is expected of every genuine child of God.
If you don’t at an early stage, it becomes difficult to find your path in life.
God desires to have a cordial relationship with every one of his children. He wants to build an intimate friendship with his children.
He yearns to be in a close relationship with all His children.
Nevertheless, this may not be possible if you as His child do not cultivate an atmosphere that will make this possible.
Personal relationship with God is a must have. Without it, there will be limits to the things you can do in this life.
Just as a fish cannot live with water, you cannot live without having a cordial relationship with God. This is how important your relationship with God is.
Having understood this, the next thing is how can you achieve this. How can you build a personal or an intimate relationship with God?
This is what this article explains. As you read through the lines, you will see the possible ways of building a strong relationship with God.
May the Lord give you understanding as you read in Jesus’ name, amen.
WHAT DOES RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD MEANS?
Many people in different circumstances view the word relationship with a diverse perspective.
However, in this content, we shall get to know the deeper meaning of a relationship according to various opinions.
Literally, relationship means, the way in which two or more people or things are connected, or the state of being connected.
According to the Vocabulary Dictionary, relationship is a state of connectedness between people (especially an emotional connection).
In psychology, relationship is any association between individuals, amounting to mutual familiarity, mutual awareness of one another’s identities, and meaningful understanding of their relations to one another.
Let us now consider what relationship with God means.
Relationship with God means receiving communications from God about himself, both through his word and through history.
God had revealed Himself to us in Jesus Christ, His teachings, His cross, in His apostles, through His word, and He is still speaking to us.
Good relationships with others are vital to maintaining a good relationship with God (Matthew 5:23-24).
This means we must always do the right things toward others, no matter how much they hurt us (Psalm 15:4) or how they react to us (Matthew 5:44-45).
Having a personal relationship with God means having a constant communication with Him – like you would to a person you are in a relationship with.
It also means growing in faith as you get to know God deeper through the Bible.
The Bible is one of the many ways God speaks to you. Hence you should never be tired of reading and studying it.
WHY SHOULD I BUILD A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD?
It is important for us to build a personal relationship with our loving Father, and we can have a strong and meaningful relationship with Him.
As we come to know God, we will find more peace, happiness, and meaning in our lives, even in a world of chaos.
One thing that has become known with the situation of things in this nation is the state of each person’s Christian life.
Many Christians find it difficult to cope with how things are going.
These Christians are individuals who keep on feeding on the anointing of others, instead of having their own oils for their lamps.
Having an intimate relationship with God is essential. The better we know him, the easier our walk will be as Christians.
Let us run through some benefits of an intimate relationship with the Lord.
1. PERFECT PEACE
Isaiah 26:3 informs believers that God will keep us in perfect peace if we trust in him.
God is a peaceful God and He desires that His children live in perfect peace.
However, this perfect peace can only be gotten through building personal relationships with God.
As much as there is seeking in this world for peace, even with the recent uproar in numerous countries, perfect peace comes through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Having an intimate relationship with God is an assurance to perfect peace.
A christian that cannot build a relationship with God will be restless in this world. Such a christian will be filled with anxiety and worry.
This is why it is very important to build a relationship with God.
Perfect peace comes through Jesus. Hence, the need to build a cordial relationship with Him.
2. DIVINE STRENGTH
The more believers spend time in the presence of God, the stronger they become spiritually and physically.
The Bible said that the Lord is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29). This means that through this fire we are ignited to exploit.
Also Daniel 11:32 made us understand that those who know their God will have strength to do exploits.
It takes knowing God to build strength. This knowledge happens through your relationship with God.
Although strength can come through the nutrients of what one eats.
However, divine strength, strength in which one can do supernatural actions, only comes through God.
God can only ignite us with his strength when we are living close to his altar.
If you really desire to build strength and capacity as a child of God, it is important for you to have an intimate relationship with Him.
3. SPIRITUAL IMPACT
In Daniel chapter 2, there is a record of a situation in which God’s prophet Daniel was able to interpret the king’s dream, without the king telling him what the dream entitles.
Daniel interpreting the dream, he saved the lives of the wise men in Babylon alongside himself and his other Hebrew colleagues.
Nothing beats the achievement one makes through the Lord Jesus Christ, and this is only possible when one puts the Lord at his right hand to influence the life of others for goodness.
Observing it or not, human beings are all influencers. Our actions influence others, and this can be positively or negatively.
When one takes the time to imitate the Lord through a relationship, the individual can touch the lives of others in the same manner as Jesus did.
Today, the world is crying for great influencers and for people to promote goodness in both theirs and other lives.
These influencers can only be raised in the secret place of knowing God.
4. WEATHERING THE STORM
It takes a lot of resilience for one to become an overcomer of life situations.
Many times, the mentally incapable person you pass on the street becomes what he is because of a storm his mind convinces him that he was not strong enough to overcome.
When you are walking with the Lord Jesus, it is impossible to become mentally unstable. Just like Job, you will be able to weather any storm.
You will have the power to withstand trials and tribulations.
5. DIVINE DIRECTION AND JOY
The Psalmist reports in Psalm 16:11, “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forever more.”
Whenever a believer has established an intimate relationship with the Lord, he can be sure of a clear direction to achieve a life of success and experience divine joy.
So many people do a lot to find excellent guidance; some even consult mediums. However, all these usually prove abortive.
To receive divine direction and joy, you must build a personal relationship with God.
Direction and joy can never come from the world, only through Jesus.
When Christians develop their relationships with the Father, they can have the confidence that He is leading them.
6. SOUND HEALTH AND WEALTH
In 2 Chronicles 26:5, the scripture records that if the king sought the Lord, the Lord would prosper him.
Also, 3 John 2 emphasizes, “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”
When Christians soak themselves with the appetite of everything that is of God, good health and wealth is a promise.
Developing a personal relationship with the Lord is not only necessary, but beneficial.
When a Christian’s life lacks spiritual substance, they will start to drift from the presence of the Lord.
No Christian wants to experience such a lifestyle. An intimate relationship with the Lord is for all of us. You can start yours today!
HOW CAN I BUILD A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD?
We have an innate desire to love and be loved. That is why personal relationships matter to us. It is also one of the reasons we sacrifice our time and energy to keep them healthy.
Effective two-way communication and service provide fuel for our relationships with family, friends, and associates. The same is true of a relationship with God.
A relationship with God is different from our relationships with the people in our lives.
For instance, those people may seem easier to reach.
However, while we may not talk to God face-to-face, we can each have a deeper, more loving connection with Him than we can with anyone else.
Having established this fact, how then can you build a personal relationship with God? See the answer below.
1. PRAY TO HIM DAILY
God wants to hear from you, and He is always available to listen. He intends to hear about your day, He would like to hear what you are grateful for, and He aims to hear how He can help you.
Gordon B. Hinckley said, “Never assume that you can make it alone. You need the help of the Lord. Never hesitate to get on your knees in some private place and speak with Him. What a marvellous and wonderful thing is prayer. Think of it. We can actually speak with our Father in Heaven.”
Consistent prayer is a habit you need to cultivate if you really desire to build an intimate relationship with God.
2. READ THE SCRIPTURES
Quality conversations are not one-sided. Each person takes time to talk and to listen.
Are you willing to listen for God’s responses to your prayers? Do you wonder if what you’re feeling or hearing is from God or from your mind? Read the bible.
The bible is the easiest way to hear God speak.
When you read the bible, God speaks to you. He reveals His will to you. He helps you to understand His plans for you through His words.
Reading and studying the bible is very vital in building a relationship with God. As you read and study it, meditate on it too.
Take notes of the revelations you get. Write down what you can hear God saying from what you are reading.
Don’t just be after telling God what you need. Be intentional about knowing His mind.
I therefore urge you to always study your bible daily and share the gospel with others.
3. SERVE OTHERS
One of the best ways to build a relationship with God is by serving others.
If that sounds counterintuitive, remember that God is a Heavenly Father who cares about His children. He is grateful when we share His love with each other.
This story of a group of men who have spent years serving one woman in need may inspire you to reach out too.
The men were reluctant to help at first, but over time they found that being selfless did more than make God happy—it made them happy.
When you serve others, you serve God indirectly. This makes God happy and also makes Him like you more.
4. OBEDIENCE
This is another good way of building a personal relationship with God. When you obey God, it shows that you love Him.
This love makes you grow a stronger connection with God.
Obedience was one key that helped Abraham to become a God’s friend. In Spite of how hard God’s instructions to him were, he still obeyed.
This obedience made God draw nearer to him.
It is important for you to always listen to God when He talks to you. You should do anything He asks you to do willingly.
When you cultivate the habit of total obedience to God, it makes your relationship with Him stronger. I therefore advise you to always obey God.
5. ACT OF WORSHIP
Your act of worship to God is another thing that can help to strengthen your relationship with Him. This act can be done through different means.
You can worship God in songs of hymns and praises. You can worship Him through your daily activities.
Worship simply means giving God pleasure. So, when you give God pleasure daily, it helps to strengthen your relationship with Him.
6. FASTING
It is another effective way of strengthening your relationship with God.
When you fast, you get detached from the activities of the world. This helps you to gain ascendency to a realm where you get to rob minds with God.
Engaging in regular fasting helps you to build a cordial relationship with God. Nevertheless, you should never fast religiously. Let the Holy Spirit influence your fasting.
7. READ EDIFYING BOOKS AND LISTEN TO EDIFYING MUSICS
This is one of the things that helped my relationship with God. I read christian books and listen to gospel songs.
When you read books, you gain access to the stories of generals in the faith. These stories inspire you and motivate you to know God more.
Additionally, gospel music helps to open up the channels of your spirit for a deeper connection with God.
Ergo, you should imbibe the culture of reading edifying books and listening to edifying songs if you desire to build a cordial relationship with God.
CONCLUSION
It is important that I stress the fact that there are no rigid formulas to knowing and building a relationship with God.
The above are just a guide that will put you on the path of knowing God.
Building a personal relationship is not general. It has to do with you and God.
I am therefore encouraging you to move closer to God in your walk with Him.
Many thanks to you for reading through.