Growing Pains

Metal is heated, beaten, and plunged into cold water as part of the process to make a strong piece of steel. In the same way, trials are necessary to develop a strong Christian.
- excerpt from 365 Daily Devotions for Women, by Jewell Johnson

Last week was quite an interesting week! God used it to help me uncover a need that I should start praying for. Instead of asking, "Why me, Lord?", I must ask: "What do You want me to learn?"

God has spoken to me over and over again this week through His Word:

"He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3:30

"And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." Luke 9:23

"And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." Luke 9:62

God has also used my circumstances, prayer, the church, and even my friends to speak to me! Last night, Alissa text me to read Chapter 25 of the Purpose-Driven Life...and it compliments everything that has been taking place in my life, lately. I have included certain sections from the chapter, below.

BUILDING CHRISTLIKE CHARACTER

We are jewels, shaped with the hammer and chisel of adversity. If a jeweler's hammer isn't strong enough to chip off our rough edges, God will use a sledgehammer. If we're really stubborn (that's me!), He uses a jackhammer. He will use whatever it takes.

Every problem is a character-building opportunity, and the more difficult it is, the greater the potential for building spiritual muscle and fiber. Paul said, "We know that these troubles produce patience. And patience produces character." What happens outwardly in your life is not as important as what happens inside you. Your circumstances are temporary, but your character will last forever.

The Bible often compares trials to a metal refiner's fire that burns away impurities. Peter said, "These troubles come to prove that your faith is pure. The purity of faith is worth more than gold." James said, "Under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors."

It is vital that you stay focused on God's plan, not your pain or problem. That is how Jesus endured the pain on the cross, and we are urged to follow His example. Corrie ten Boom, who suffered in a Nazi death camp, explained the power of focus: "If you look at the world, you'll be distressed. If you look within, you'll be depressed. But if you look at Christ, you'll be at rest!" Your focus will determine your feelings.

The secret of endurance is to remember that your pain is temporary but your reward will be eternal. Don't give in to short-term thinking. Stay focused on the end result: "If we are to share His glory, we must also share His suffering. What we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will give us later."

Character building is a slow process. Whenever we try to avoid or escape the difficulties in life, we short-circuit the process, delay our growth, and actually end up with a worse kind of pain--the worthless type that accompanies denial and avoidance (ouch--that's me, again).

You know you are maturing when you begin to see the hand of God in the random, baffling, and seemingly pointless circumstances of life. Don't give up, grow up!