9 ways to know you're growing spiritually

Spiritual growth has a way of showing up in the most normal of moments, and there are many signs that you might be missing.

Before the spark catches

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People say rude things all the time. The difference now, however, is that you’re not going to fire back at the rude person straight away. You’ll think about what you’re going to say instead of reacting with some angry words.

That’s not to say you’re not annoyed. You are. It’s just that you’ve come to understand there’s really no good in going with your first reaction, and it’s all because you’ve grown spiritually. Be proud of that fact.

When nobody claps

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It’s one thing to be kind when someone can thank you. It’s another when you do the right thing, even though nobody will ever find out, but you do it anyway.

It doesn’t matter how big or small the task is. The fact that you’re willing to help people without a reward? That counts.

You’ve spiritually grown to the point where you don’t need applause. You just do the right thing. Not many people can claim they behave that way, so you should be pretty happy with yourself.

No stage needed

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Not needing to explain yourself feels good, and you know all about that. You’re no longer feeling like you’ve got to defend your image and prove yourself to other people. You realize it’s pointless.

It’s okay when someone underestimates, and it’s okay when someone misreads you because, really, it’s not your problem. You’ve grown spiritually, to the point where performing and chasing approval don’t seem worthwhile anymore.

The story stops here

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Gossip. It’s something that people usually think is harmless, but then they grow spiritually and recognize the difference. Gossip doesn’t feel that good because you understand that it’s not helpful or useful. It only hurts.

So, instead, you change the subject or refuse to add fuel to the fire, since you’re not willing to carry around someone else’s issues. You understand that it’s their business, not your own.

A door closes quietly

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The truth is, you still feel disappointed when you’re spiritually grown. Anyone who denies that is trying too hard. But what’s changed is that you’re no longer spiraling so hard after something doesn’t go your way.

Instead, you pray, and you breathe, or maybe do something as ordinary as cleaning the kitchen. You know that one closed door is exactly that. One closed door. It doesn’t mean that every opportunity is closed forever, and it doesn’t mean everything is ruined.

No ticket to the circus

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It’s easy to mistake drama as something necessary, and it’s easy to convince yourself that one more reply or comment is okay. It’s not. Spiritually mature people understand that it’s always better to choose peace over drama.

It doesn’t make them a pushover. No, it’s more that they’d rather have a calmer life than a dramatic one. They know that peace matters more than anything.

When good news lands nearby

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Someone else’s good news doesn’t affect you like it once did. You used to get jealous and ask yourself why it didn’t happen to you, but now, you’re just happy. You’re happy for them. No more comparing timelines, no more saying things to make their joy a little smaller.

You congratulate the other person, and you smile without it being fake. Only people who have grown on a spiritual level are capable of acting that way.

What gets a seat

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What you consume has a huge effect on you as a person. You understand that. It’s why you’ve begun changing everything that you read or listen to. You don’t want to consume anything that’s not serving you well.

The things that make you feel anxious or annoyed? You don’t give it the time of day anymore because you understand that it’s not worth dealing with that kind of stuff. It’s only content that’s going to benefit you now.

Same person, same room

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One of the clearest signs comes from how you stop making your faith into a performance. You’d rather your life actually match your beliefs. It matters a lot more to you than trying to seem spiritual.

That sort of habit appears even during normal moments, like when you’re annoyed at work or when someone asks you for forgiveness. You want to actually match up with what you believe in.