Growing pains

There is much to be said about the process of growth and development. As Christians, we have to grow continuously in the faith. We start off, newborns, reborn as a new creature in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says," Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."  We have to learn about what Christ actually did for us  and why he came to the world. Why he wants us to turn from our ways. What he has to offer us and help us on this journey he has called us to. New to the body of Christ, we start from scratch, learning what faith is, how to trust God and lean not to our own understanding. We learn that all is forgiven through true confession and repentance. At this stage our hunger is strong for the word and the things of God, we run hard, and seek God full force. It is God's desire that we keep this same passion and drive throughout our journey and relationship with him. We began to go through and experience the pains of growing to the next level. In learning, we fall and get up again. Just like children learning to walk. We pull up on the word, being fed milk. Peter wrote the the Hebrew, in 1 Peter 2:1-2, saying,"Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speaking, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby. Here he gives examples of things to let go in order to mature in the things of God and graduate to the next level. The pains of growing comes from trial and error. It is through obedience that we learn to eat, digest, and grow.


As we continue on, we have made mistakes, we fall, we get up, we began to walk. No longer do we misunderstand the basics of Christianity, but we are firm in the faith. We now belong to a body of Christ, or maybe even have become active in a ministry. We are now exercising our faith, and can now become skillful in the word. Hebrews 5:13-14 says,"For everyone that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness; for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are full of age, even those who by reason of uses have there senses exercised to discern both good and evil." As a growing vessel, we learn to use the gifts given to us. I have personally found that discernment is one of the first things you attain through prayer and the word. Your senses are exercised, to differentiate between whats bad and whats good. No longer are you a babe and don't know the difference. In this stage there is much accountability. You are held accountable because you know better now. 1 Corinthians 13:11 says," When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things."  Your eyes become open to the spirit world around you. You began to learn how to crucify your flesh, and hold your tongue. We become very disciplined at this stage of growth. The Lord tells us that he will chastise us, because now we are sons and not bastards.(Hebrews 12:8) He brings out what he has put in us. Sometimes it takes hardship, a trial or tribulation to get the fruit out of you. Hebrews 12:11 says, "Now no chastening for the present seems to be joyus, but grievous:nevertheless afterward it yeildeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." Again, we see the word exercised, which means in constant motion. We have to be in consistent in prayer and communication with God. Seeking direction and order. Consistent in eating the word, which is most essential in our growth.


The funny thing about growing is that you never stop. Physically, yes. But spiritually you never stop learning and growing. We strive to be like Christ everyday. Forgiving one another, comforting one another, speaking the truth in love, and helping to bear each other weaknesses. It is my desire to perfect my walk in Christ, in humbleness, that he may use me to gain souls for the kingdom. That his light shines through me and people see my good works and glorify God, of heaven. (Matt. 5:16) So, next time life troubles you, understand the reason for the pain, know that GOD LOVES US! Believe that he is cultivating you to become the vessel of honor you were destined to be. Be strong in the Lord and in the power of HIS might (Eph. 6:10) Be renewed in the spirit of your mind putting on the new man (Eph. 5:23-24)In 2 Peter 3:18, Peter simply put,"But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen.


Thank you for reading today's post. I pray you got something out of it. Please remember to read your bible and pray everyday as it is important to strengthen our walks with Christ daily. Please feel free to contact me if you have any comments, questions, concerns,, or prayer requests. I can be reached here on the blog, on Facebook under Chrissy Divine or the fan page, on Twitter :@Chrissylachae or my email : deliveranceisontheway@gmail.com. As always, thank you for your love and continued support. May God add a blessing to the hearers and doers of his word. Amen.