Modern living often wears the robe of vulnerability and pain.
It’s the normal side of every life.
When life feels abandoned and bruised and wounded in spirit, you need a guardian, a friend who reads your every moment to repair it all.
As Christians, we have a living friend who is and will be forever in Christ.
Love Jesus, and follow and live the 20 ways to imitate Christ, as His way of living will bring us into a life of fulfillment and rejoicing.
Living a life like Christ is our first motive for a life well lived when we have passed away from earth into the divine world.
Jesus is your Divine Restorer, your Guardian whose life and words, if followed, will bring in you a joy that no worries of the world could erase.
His healing comes as simple as following His way of living.
Healing was always near; we just never looked at it.
Your Christian life needs a Christ-like living.
Shaina’s Story: The Relatable Modern Living
The alarm screamed at 6:00 AM.
Shaina hit snooze twice.
By the time she finally dragged herself out of bed, she was already running late.
The coffee machine sputtered and spilled grounds everywhere.
The kids were arguing over the burned omelette at breakfast, and her spouse gave her a frustrated look as they rushed out the door.
Shaina sighed, grabbed her bag, and stepped outside—only to remember that her car was low on gas.
Traffic was heavy, and she had to drop her kids off at school.
A driver cut her off, and she felt her blood boil.
She muttered words she wasn’t proud of, as her kids sat beside her in the car.
At work, her inbox was overflowing.
Her boss criticized a project she had stayed up late to finish.
A coworker took credit for her idea in a meeting.
She smiled politely, but inside, she was seething.
Later that evening, she finally collapsed on the couch.
She scrolled through social media, watching everyone else’s highlight reels.
Perfect families. Perfect vacations. Perfect lives.
And here I am, she said to herself, all exhausted, overlooked, and quietly falling apart.
Then someone spoke to Shanice.
It was Bruce, her child, asking for attention.
Even her spouse asked her about her day at the dinner table.
Also at work, a friend had shared a struggle.
And all along, Shanice, instead of responding with love, snapped; harsh words flew out. She showed no interest.
Recalling the day in bed, she saw the hurt in their eyes—and she instantly regretted it.
That night, she lay in bed and wept.
Her mind replayed every mistake, every frustration, every moment she failed.
A quiet voice whispered:
“Who are you becoming? Is this the person you want to be?”
Shanice knew this time it wasn’t her thoughts that spoke; it was her spirit within that mirrored the divine spirit around, and the image of Jesus Christ lay held for a moment, as if standing strong before all the broken thoughts.
She thought about all that she had learned about Jesus as a Christian.
His patience when He was falsely accused.
His kindness when He was betrayed.
His love when He was crucified.
And she realized that she was nothing like Him.
Her heart felt hard. Her spirit felt dry. Her life felt broken.
And in that moment, she whispered a simple prayer:
“Lord, teach me to imitate You. I cannot do this on my own. Heal my brokenness. Mend my fractured life. Show me how to be more like Jesus—starting today.”
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.” – Ephesians 5:1
Life has a way of breaking us. Perhaps you are carrying the weight of a failed relationship, the sting of betrayal, the exhaustion of burnout, or the quiet ache of a dream that never came true. You are not alone.
The Bible is filled with stories of broken people whom God restored.
And at the center of it all stands Jesus Christ—the healer of the brokenhearted.
The apostle Paul wrote, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).
To imitate Christ is not merely about adopting a set of moral rules.
It is about letting His life flow through yours so that your brokenness becomes the very place where His healing power shines.
As you imitate Christ, the fractures within begin to mend from the inside out.
To imitate Christ and weave His way of living into your own is to find spiritual healing—where a broken life is restored and filled with peace.
The Very Practical 20 Ways to Imitate Christ
For a believer in Christ, following Jesus’ ways would be practicing and living Christian virtues.
The 20 ways to imitate Christ lead us into true oneness with Him.
And when we live as He lived, our very lives become a quiet thank‑you for His sacrifice—a humble offering of gratitude for all He has done for humanity.
Walking with God (Virtues 1–5)
1. Pray Continually
It would not be an overstatement to say that the defining moments of Jesus’ earthly life were spent in prayer.
To pray is to be in the company of God.
Jesus modeled a life of constant prayer. He withdrew to lonely places to commune with the Father (Luke 5:16).
Paul exhorted believers to “pray without ceasing.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:17).
As a believer in Christ, treat prayer as not just a religious duty—it will cement your relationship with your Healer in life, Jesus Christ.
When you are broken, prayer is where you find strength, clarity, and peace.
Practical Step:
Set at least five moments during the day to pause and pray. Even a 30-second prayer, talking to Jesus, can recenter your heart on Christ.
Prayer will help you grow closer to Christ and understand Him better.
Prayer works wonders spiritually and emotionally.
2. Read and Meditate on Scripture
Read the Bible to know more about Jesus.
Jesus is hidden in the Old Testament and revealed in the New Testament.
Jesus was well-versed in the Scriptures.
All the replies to Satan when Jesus was tempted three times were from the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy (specifically chapters 6 and 8).
Paul wrote, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).
The more you immerse yourself in God’s Word, the more clearly you see Christ’s character.
Surely the word of God will bring an immense change in you.
Practical Step:
Commit to reading at least one chapter of the Bible daily.
Ask yourself: “What does this reveal about Jesus? How can I apply this today?”
3. Surrender Your Will Completely
“Not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42).
The above were Jesus’ prayers in Gethsemane.
Like Jesus, to surrender is the daily decision to lay down your own desires, plans, and control.
When you cling to your own way, you remain broken. When you release everything to God, He begins to rebuild you.
Surrender your life wholly to God, trusting that His plan alone holds your true good.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)
Practical Step:
Keep a “surrender list”—areas of your life you are still holding onto.
Each morning, surrender one specific area to God in prayer.
4. Stand Strong in Faith
Jesus consistently trusted the Father, even when circumstances looked hopeless.
He said, “Have faith in God” (Mark 11:22).
Faith is not the absence of doubt; it is choosing to trust God despite your fears.
When life feels shattered, faith steadies your soul to God’s unshakable promises.
Practical Step:
When fear arises, speak aloud: “I trust You, Lord, even though I don’t understand this.”
Declare God’s promises over your situation daily.
5. Cultivate Unshakable Hope
Christ should be your hope.
Jesus faced the cross with hope—the hope of resurrection and redemption.
Hope is not wishful thinking; it is a strong, confident expectation that God will fulfill His promises.
A broken life without hope is a life without direction.
Practical Step:
Bring all your fears before God in prayer, trusting with hope that His power will overturn them.
Shaping Your Inner Self (Virtues 6–10)
6. Walk in Humility
Jesus “emptied himself, taking the form of a servant” (Philippians 2:7).
Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less and acknowledging how great our Lord is.
Pride melts into shame, but humility opens the door for God’s healing grace.
Being humble means accepting the flaws and limits every person has.
And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
(James 4:6)
Practical Step:
Speak respectfully to everybody you encounter every day.
Circumstances or status shouldn’t matter; every person is created just as you are by the same God.
7. Develop Patience
Mockery, doubts, and insults came to Jesus many times, but he endured them all with incredible patience.
“Life may seem tough, but let patience and hope in God be our strength, knowing the Potter in Christ is shaping the clay with care, making a great vessel of my life.”
Practical Step:
When you feel frustrated, take three deep breaths and whisper,
“Lord, give me Your patience.” Wait before reacting.
8. Practice Self-Control
For us, if free will was gifted, isn’t self-control a spiritual responsibility? Contemplate it in prayers.
Jesus resisted temptation in the wilderness.
Learn to resist them as we face them every day.
Self-control is the discipline to say “no” to your flesh so you can say “yes” to God.
Your body was made to glorify God.
Practical Step:
We all struggle with temptations.
Identify areas where you struggle, place them before Jesus, and ask for his strength and understanding to overcome them all.
9. Choose Joy in All Circumstances
Joy is deeper than happiness.
Walking daily with Jesus brings a joy untouched by circumstances, for your confidence rests in the assurance that God is sovereign and in control.
“The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).
Practical Step:
Smiling can be easiest.
Just smile, knowing no matter what, Jesus will see it through.
10. Be a Carrier of Peace
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you” (John 14:27).
Peace of Christ is what we should seek each day and bless others with.
Jesus’ peace came from trust in the Father.
Your everyday brokenness may be chaotic, but Christ’s peace can still rule in your heart.
Practical Step:
Pray each day, asking Jesus to envelop you in the peace that brings comfort and strength to live a good Christian life as is God’s will.
Touching Other Lives (Virtues 11–15)
- Show Compassion and Understanding
When Jesus saw the crowds, “he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless” (Matthew 9:36).
A heart like Jesus is to have the heart of a compassionate God.
Compassion and understanding go together, such as understanding that everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about.
Your own brokenness and experiences should give you the unique ability to comfort others.
Practical Step:
Be patient as you encounter them; listen and help them. Maybe you’re God’s instrument of comfort in their moments of grief.
- Practice Kindness Daily
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted” (Ephesians 4:32).
It takes little to show kindness, yet it works greatly upon the spirit of others.
Kindness is spelled out in Jesus, as He was kind to the outcast, the sick, and the sinful.
Practical Step:
You will have many moments each day to show kindness to others; just live it.
- Speak With Gentleness
Simple gentle words are enough to treat a broken heart.
I must be saying hallelujah all day, but that same tongue cannot shout vengeance and rudeness.
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (Proverbs 15:1)
Practical Step:
Whenever you speak, let your words carry a tone of calmness and goodwill toward others.
- Love Unconditionally
Conditions apply*; your earthly terms don’t work for love when living in the realm of Christ’s teachings.
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (John 13:34)
Learn Christ’s way of loving.
Christ’s love was sacrificial, persistent, and undeserved.
Imitating Christ means loving people even when they are unlovable.
Practical Step:
Identify one person who is difficult to love.
Pray for them daily and look for one practical way to show them kindness.
- Forgive Freely
Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. (Matthew 18:22)
Above was Jesus’ reply to Peter on how many times to forgive.
Unforgiveness is a poison that destroys the one who holds it. When you forgive, you do not excuse the offense; you release the offender to God and free yourself.
Practical Step:
Forgiveness may feel difficult, yet it is the path we must take, for in doing so we honor Jesus and His teachings.
Ask God to heal your heart as you release the offense.
Living a Life of a True Disciple of Christ (Virtues 16–20)
16. Have a Servant’s Heart
Jesus said, “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve” (Mark 10:45).
Walk the talk for Jesus happens as He washes His disciples’ feet—the ultimate act of servant leadership.
Healing your broken life often happens when you shift focus from your own pain to serving others.
Serving gives your brokenness purpose.
Practical Step:
Serve without seeking recognition or thanks.
You were
Let your recognition be in Christ; the world is a passerby.
- Be Generous With What You Have
God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7)
Jesus gave His very life.
Generosity is not just about money; it is about giving your time, attention, and resources.
When you give, you break the cycle of selfishness that contributes to your brokenness.
A generous heart will make your heart and spirit shine in glory, a feeling felt only by you.
Practical Step:
Be generous every day when encountering others. It is beautiful.
- Cultivate Zeal for God
“Zeal for your house will consume me” (John 2:17).
Zeal is not loud, aggressive religion; it is a deep, burning love for God that flows out naturally.
When your life is broken, your zeal reminds you that God’s mission is bigger than your pain.
Practical Step:
Read the Word of God; pray hard, and let your zeal for the Lord be such that you feel His presence every day beside you.
- Walk in Courage
Jesus said, “Take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
Pain and brokenness are part of every life.
Courage is not the absence of fear; it is acting in faith despite the fear.
When hurt and broken, gather courage, get up, try again, and above all, trust God.
Practical Step:
One step each time.
Identify one fear that is paralyzing you. Take one small step to face it this week, trusting God to walk with you.
- Be Honest and Trustworthy
Being honest is your armor of faith.
“Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No'” (Matthew 5:37).
Be like Jesus.
Jesus was perfectly truthful.
He condemned hypocrisy and valued integrity.
Honesty mends relationships; dishonesty shatters them.
Being trustworthy in small things prepares you for greater responsibilities in God’s Kingdom.
Practical Step:
Be honest in your everyday dealings.
If you say you’ll do something, do it. If you cannot, communicate honestly rather than making excuses.
Like Jesus, stand for what is true.
Committing to be like Jesus Every Day
Imitating Jesus is not about being perfect; only Jesus is perfect; it’s about direction for a life well lived.
It is about taking one step at a time.
There will be falls and shortcomings.
Imitating Christ would be to get up and allow the Healer in Christ to mend your broken life piece by piece.
Remember what Paul wrote: “Be imitators of God, as beloved children” (Ephesians 5:1).
You are a beloved child, a friend, a disciple, and more to Christ.
Jesus stands waiting to hold you; just keep that faith.
The divinity of Jesus becoming man to bring humanity to be one with His Father is primary, but also to live a life in imitation of Christ is wished for by the Heavenly Father for every living being.
Prayer
Jesus, it’s our love for you that draws us to live a life that imitates yours.
We want to follow your ways and teachings.
But we are filled with shortcomings, faults, and limitations.
Hold us on the way; how can we walk without You?
You are the strength, the truth, and the life.
Help us live like You.
Guide us, show us the way.
Thank you, Jesus, for loving us.
In Your holy name we pray…
Amen.
