It is a refreshing thing, to grow. It is also one of the most painful places to be all at the same time. When comforts are stripped away, when we are left with nothing but ourselves and God, that is where the places of our heart that need the most to be gutted and burned are made evident. Gross mental imagery, I know, but accurate nonetheless.
What's with this method? Why do we have to experience the unpleasant and often really frustrating stuff in order to grow in the areas of our lives we'd rather brush under the rug? Those places in our lives that we are the most ashamed of, the ones that we all sometimes secretly wonder if God has a hard time getting past when He looks at us?
I am a firm believer in the words of the first chapter of James. While my blog has often been riddled with a cry for justice (and a notice of the lack thereof) for the latter part of this chapter, to discount the former half would be simpleminded;
"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him." (James 1:12)
We are meant to grow. Staying in the same place was never God's intention for us as His children. He has ALWAYS loved us where we are, but He loves us too much to let us continue on in that way when He understands that though we kick and scream and drag our feet, our growth in the Knowledge of Him, our maturity as His followers, and lovers of those He came to save delight not only Him, but US as well. We are designed to come alive in the presence of God's delight.
Be encouraged today to press on in the painful places of growth, knowing that while you may feel distraught and at the end of yourself, He has you exactly where you need to be in order to gain what you need for the next battle. He promises to carry out the work He began in us to completion. Hold on to this as you wait patiently upon Him.
What's with this method? Why do we have to experience the unpleasant and often really frustrating stuff in order to grow in the areas of our lives we'd rather brush under the rug? Those places in our lives that we are the most ashamed of, the ones that we all sometimes secretly wonder if God has a hard time getting past when He looks at us?
I am a firm believer in the words of the first chapter of James. While my blog has often been riddled with a cry for justice (and a notice of the lack thereof) for the latter part of this chapter, to discount the former half would be simpleminded;
"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him." (James 1:12)
We are meant to grow. Staying in the same place was never God's intention for us as His children. He has ALWAYS loved us where we are, but He loves us too much to let us continue on in that way when He understands that though we kick and scream and drag our feet, our growth in the Knowledge of Him, our maturity as His followers, and lovers of those He came to save delight not only Him, but US as well. We are designed to come alive in the presence of God's delight.
Be encouraged today to press on in the painful places of growth, knowing that while you may feel distraught and at the end of yourself, He has you exactly where you need to be in order to gain what you need for the next battle. He promises to carry out the work He began in us to completion. Hold on to this as you wait patiently upon Him.
