In order to achieve great things, we cannot just rely on talent or aspiration alone, but also training and hard work. Nowhere is this more true than in our spiritual journey. We are saved by grace, and that's a good starting point, but rather than waiting for spiritual power to come to us, we need to be serious about our spiritual goals, and actively work towards them. By doing so, we build a center of strength through God, which we can fall back to and rely on regardless of life's difficulties, and without which we will crash in anxiety whenever life goes south. We all wish to flourish spiritually, but we cannot get there accidentally; we need to train in Jesus's likeness, and we will be rewarded in this life and all eternity. Scripture: 1 Timothy 4: 1-10 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. 4 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. 6 If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters,[a] you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. 10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.