I received a contact from a person with a struggle familiar to many of us. Doesn’t matter what it was, but I think the response is the most important part. 🙂 She was basically curious about overcoming a struggle and “growing up” spiritually in Christ. I hope my response encourages you.
Here’s how I responded to her email:
“I can totally relate to how you feel.
When I was younger in Christ, I struggled just as you are describing to me now. But, I finally found the right church and good, sound teaching and the result was liberty. Freedom in Jesus!
Every single has dealt (and deals with) the feelings you are experiencing. Remember this Christian walk is a process. Hebrews 12:1 tells puts emphasis on “endurance”.
That’s because there will be times you may “feel” like giving up. But stay on track! During those times, remind yourself that you are not alone and that all you have to do is endure – hang in there. People don’t talk enough about enduring temptation. Sometimes, we have to fight. I know it’s just hard.
For me, I often crawl in life’s race, but I’m still in it. Other times, I sprint.
Focus on how you grow…
The running is not as important as the “hanging” in there. Just because you have committed and recommitted your life to Christ doesn’t mean you will be perfect. It’s a process. It’s a growth experience – one we ALL have to go through and, quite frankly, continue to go through our entire lives.
Take the pressure off yourself and allow God to do His perfect work in your life. Stay close to Him through reading His Word and consistent prayer. He will use those two vehicles to change you and conform you into His image.
You gotta get into a good church. That’s an important part of the process. Sometimes, we want to rush that maturation process and try to do it ourselves and that’s when we [all] fall flat on our faces. 🙂
Allow Him to work in you, through you, and in you. You stay close and you’ll soon find that the things you used to do actually don’t seem quite as appealing, that’s when the change begins to occur. Again, the Christian walk is a process.
I have a personal example. For me, it was a particular man. It seemed I couldn’t stay away from him back in my twenties. He was bad for me and I knew it, but I thought I loved him.
Once I got serious about my walk with Christ, things began to change almost effortlessly. The closer I got to God, the stronger I became in His word. I soon saw my boyfriend for what he was – a doggie (bow wow) in a Mercedes.
Something happens the closer you get to the Lord. You begin to see clearly. You gain power.
God did what I could never do; he made the man (pulling me away from Him) and the sin (sleeping with the man) disgusting to me. Does that make sense?
Feelings are simply stupid when you’re growing up spiritually.
Don’t worry about how you feel. Feeling is a sense that is best kept to earthly things, not spiritual things. As you are growing up spiritually, you’ll find “feelings” being something of a blur in the distance. You’ll focus on what you know!
We live by faith; it’s the cornerstone of the Christian walk (Read 2 Corinthians 5:7):
New International Version
For we live by faith, not by sight.
New Living Translation
For we live by believing and not by seeing.
English Standard Version
for we walk by faith, not by sight.
Click to visit Bible Hub. 🙂
Feelings can really get us into trouble, can’t they?
Check your “feelings” at the door.
Those times when you “feel” alone remind yourself of scriptures like Deut. 31:6 and Matthew 28:20.
Honey, feelings are not always true and reliable.
You may feel alone, but the truth is your Heavenly Father is right there with you, ahead of you, alongside you and behind you – all at the same time. He’s always there, even when you don’t feel Him.
It’s similar to oxygen, you can’t feel it, but it’s keeping you alive. He’s keeping you alive this very moment, Girl! He’s got you!
Hang in there, Christian Woman!
Finally, don’t give up. If you fall, get back up and begin again in grace and forgiveness. Stay in the Christian walk, God will blow your mind with victories and more testimonies than you could imagine. The key is to endure and stay in it. Don’t give up on yourself.
And don’t give up on Jesus, because again the Christian Walk is a Process.
A person’s struggle is not as important as the method of dealing with it. Do you agree?
Learn to “fight on!” and not punk out!
That’s the key to growing up spiritually, Sis.
GodsyGirl is a Christian lifestyle blog featuring Christian faith articles written by an ordinary Christian woman blogger, Christian inspirational podcaster, and a pastor’s wife. GodsyGirl is about Christian inspiration and living your fullest life as a fabulous Christian woman. Explore GodsyGirl.com to find articles on everything from daily Christian living to hair, makeup, and living your absolute best life!
Lots of truth spoken here! I also love how you write, very relationally! Thank you Teri for this encouraging post! And I love the t-shirts!
Thank you for the encouragement to let me stay on it and endure because no matter what it will be worth it! Thank you and God bless!
Years ago, in a discipleship course I received I learned that as we grow as a Christian the Cross becomes bigger, because we see our need for it and what it represents more and more. Thanks for your encouragement to press on as I grow up spiritually.
Great message but I really like the t-shirts. Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Very encouraging reply. It’s good to remember that God is continually working in us and revealing himself in us!
Thanks! Yes, life is full of peaks and valleys. ?
What great advice you give!! I really loved when you said “For me, I often crawl in life’s race, but I’m still in it. Other times, I sprint.” It’s so good to remember we won’t always be sprinting but we simply need to keep enduring. So good!
Thanks, Teresa! We serve such a good God. Thanks for stopping by!
That’s so true. It’s a process and the Holy Spirit is a huge part of the process.
Praise God! That’s surely what we all need – grace. Thanks so much!
Wow! I just loved this post. It packed full of truth that I am learning and that I often wish wasn’t true. That change takes time not from trying harder but from drawing strength from Christ and His word. Man, I’d love to become spiritually mature overnight. This post is full of grace for the journey and I’m grateful for it.
Our Christian life is a journey with God, just as Abraham walked with God and went through many ups and downs. God does not expect us to be mature overnight. Maturity comes by many experiences – good and bad. As you rightly say, it is a process. We need to look forward towards our goal, but it is our daily spiritual disciplines – like praying and reading the Bible – that the Holy Spirit transforms us from the inside out. Thank you for this encouraging post!
Much wisdom here! Growing in our walk with God takes time and perseverance. I loved your advice to this young woman! So encouraging and empathetic. Blessings!
Great advice that the young woman should find very helpful. Wonderful job. Thanks for sharing.
Great advice. Our spiritual walk is a life long journey, and we continue to learn and grow all the way through our lives. Thank you for offering encouragement to persevere to those who are discouraged in their fail. God bless your ministry.
I love the words “focus on how you grow” and check your feelings at the door”.
this is such an inspiring post. thumbs up.
Great encouragement! We have all made bad choices along the way. I love how you told your story and how God was able to help you grow stronger. Now you can share your testimony to help others!
Praise God, Carla. What a wonderful ministry to young girls! May God bless you in doing it!
Aww thanks, Collene! I hope the young lady sees your post and gets some encouragement from you as well.
Love this post. It was so encouraging to keep going in our Christian walk and remember it is a process. We won’t be perfect this side of Heaven but we can keep leaning on Jesus every day. Also, totally love your t-shirt designs. They are so funny, inspiring, and brilliant!
Absolutely love this post! You break down the process of sanctification in such a relatable and encouraging way. I disciple a group of teen girls and one of them just asked me the same question about growing spiritually. I am going to read this post to her! Thanks for this encouragement!
thank you for this wonderful post..
I just finished a great study by Elizabeth George over the book of Phillipeans in which she talks extensively about endurance and maturity in Christian living. It’s called, Becoming a Woman of Peace. Paul wrote to the Phillipeans about the nature of endurance from a prison in Rome. Despite the hardships he faced, he continued on in his faith journey, keeping his eyes on the prize–to see God face to face.
I’ve been a Christian for most of my life and I still don’t have it all figured out. Yet even while I continue to struggle and fall, God is there to pick me back and set me on the right course. Spiritual mentors are also invaluable resources. Not only can they point you in the right direction, they’ll fall to their knees in the trenches with you!
Very sound and inspiring advice. Walking with Christ is lifetime not just a sprint. He that endures to the end will be saved.