Process

 Process

 

As a Christian have you ever been frustrated with yourself because you are not where you feel or even know where you should be in your walk with Christ?  You know that something needs to be changed from bad to good or, far more often, from good to best but you are just not there.  Especially in the area of faith for healing and finances many of you may have become frustrated because you are not receiving what you have asked for and you are struggling to have the faith to fully trust God in those areas.  

We need to understand that growing and learning are both a process.  No one starts out fully grown nor fully having learned everything.  There is a process that we go through in growing and/or learning and everyone does this at a different pace. Stop comparing your speed of growth or learning to someone else’s. Focus on where you are and where God wants YOU to be and the process YOU are in.

 

Faith is supposed to grow.  If we, properly, see what Jesus says about faith we will see that faith starts as a seed but it supposed to grow.

Luke 17:6 So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you

Luke 13:19 It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.”

If a seed doesn’t grow there is a problem and if your faith hasn’t grown or isn’t growing there is a problem but there is no problem if it is growing even if it hasn’t reached the size that you see in others or where you desire it to be. Keep walking in the process. Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Hearing and hearing. 

 

Philippians 4:11-12 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: ¹² I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

In these two verses Paul says “I have learned”.  This is an important thing for us to understand as believers.  Every aspect of the Christian life doesn’t just come automatically.  There are things we need to learn or grow into.  Here Paul LEARNED how to be content both when he abounded and when he was in need. 

 

 

We need to grow in all the things of Christ and.  Ephesians 4:15-16 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

 

We need to grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus. 2 Peter 3:17-18You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

 

Growth and learning are not just from receiving knowledge but also from hands on training.  James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.  

Far too often we pray for God to just poof change us from what we are to what we need to be or desire to be.  He instead allows us to go through trials and tests so that we develop/grow/learn faith, patience and so that we become more complete.  I have heard it said that there is no testimony without the test. Just look at your life so far.  See how far you have come and what differences there are.  What are the things that have changed and that you have grown/learned so far.  Even someone just saved isn’t the same as what they were.  Don’t be discouraged at the pace of your growth.  Rejoice that you are growing and learning.  Yes, you may have a quick growth spurt here and there but usually growth is a gradual but consistent process.  Don’t give up, be encouraged and keep growing and learning.