There are many potential benefits of learning how to find a spiritual mentor and working closely with that person toward personal growth. These benefits may include:
As humans, we desire to receive affirmation and be encouraged. A spiritual mentor can be someone who believes in you and encourages you to find your purpose. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
In life, there are ups and downs. When you are at a low point, a mentor can remind you of your value in Christ and encourage you to keep going.
A mentor in Christ leads by example. They realize it is not necessarily the words they say, but it is their actions that speak the loudest. They seek to honor God in the choices they make on a daily basis. This provides guidance for those they mentor and encourages them to do the same.
Unfortunately, it can be easy to fall into sin and lose sight of your relationship with Christ. A godly mentor can be someone who is honest with you and tells you when you need to turn your focus back to God. As a result, they can keep you from continuing in a life of sin and encourage you to live in a way that is honorable to God.
A spiritual mentor can offer wise counsel when it comes to some of life’s toughest decisions. As someone who has walked the road before you, a mentor can guide you in the right direction and steer you away from mistakes they previously made. They can prepare you for what is to come and offer advice from a Christian perspective.
For college students, this advice may often take the form of career guidance. For example, if you’re struggling to decide whether you’re called to be a missionary or a marriage counselor, a mentor can help you explore these possible futures so that you can decide which is best for you.
We all need someone who listens to us and shows support. A mentor does not necessarily do all the talking. They realize that sometimes, you just need someone to listen without judgment. They show understanding because they have most likely experienced similar things, and they are there for you during both good and bad times.
A spiritual mentor is someone who cares about you and wants the best for you. They know that the most important thing in life is to have a personal relationship with Christ, so they encourage you to invest in this relationship. As a result, you can grow spiritually and become mature in your faith.
