Christian growth is one of the most important issues in the modern church. This is true, especially as we consider the fact that in order for us to truly become who God called us to be then we must be transformed. Furthermore, for transformation to take place we must grow.
Growth can be difficult. Not only is it painful, but growth can also seem hopeless. As a result, we must be empowered to challenge our difficulties and grow through them. As we grow, we will realize that regardless of how our challenges appear, a challenge is just a channel for growth.
The Apostle Paul explained it like this; “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5:3-4
As Paul suffered, he realized that his suffering was producing something far greater than the suffering itself. The Bible records that through his troubles he was learning perseverance, and character and all this gave him hope.
Paul didn’t focus on the sufferings, his focus was on what God was doing in the Spirit. He knew that ‘the just shall live by faith.’ This means that Paul didn’t focus on what was going on around him, but rather what God was doing in him.
If we focus on the pain and the discomfort of our challenge, then we will further magnify our suffering, and suffer more. Yet if we identify that A Challenge Is Just A Channel For Growth, we will react to our challenge in faith.
Perspective Is Everything When It Comes To Christian Growth
As we consider the issue of Christian Growth, the most important thing is to get the right perspective. We have to see our situation for what they really are. For the children of the Living God, we know that all things will work for our good, and that God is before all things.
We must look beyond our suffering at what God is doing in and through us. As we do this we must also welcome our challenges with opened arms, and find comfort in our suffering as we grow.
It is important to realize that the challenge we face can be the most beautiful thing happening to us. Life’s challenges ensure that we do not become stagnant, but that we grow and continue to grow. Our duty is to see through God’s eyes, and not let our feelings overcome our faith
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Our duty is to see through God's eyes, and not let our feelings overcome our faith
There Is Purpose In Our Challenge As We Grow
As we walk with God, we must realize that God is working out his purpose and his glory in us. God created us for a very specific purpose. As a result, God will process us through fire, in order to bring us to this purpose. As we go, let’s constantly remind ourselves that “A Challenge Is Just A Channel For our Christian Growth.” Let us make this a daily affirmation until we get it right, saying over and over again, “A Challenge is Just A channel For Growth.”
God has to filter us of the unnecessary, and prune us of all the unwanted branches in our lives. We might interpret this process of God as a challenge, and in the natural it is often quite so. The truth is that fires do burn. Let us allow the fire of God to burn, knowing that He is purifying us, and empowering us with His righteousness.
As Job was scorched, he identified with the workings of God. Through his suffering, Job cursed the very day he was born but at no point did Job say a word against God. Job’s proclamation was “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold,” Job 23:10.
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We should be like Job, and we should see the gold at the end of our tunnels. Weeping may endure for a night, but our joy will come in the morning.
You Faith Shall Make You Whole
We are made perfect by our ability to have faith. Our challenges are as diverse as our faces, yet we should conquer them the same way, by faith. Through faith we can challenge the challenge head on, and we can proclaim, “be moved!”
I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.
A challenge is not a challenge, if we do not accept it to be so. In other words, if we look at our challenge and see God, then we will no longer have a challenge, but we will have a lesson.
My admonition is that as we face our challenge, we demonstrate our faith. It is in this process, that we find our redemption, and we become whole.
As We Conclude
I know there are some challenges that will hurt us so hard for so long that they scar us indelibly. Pain is real, and challenges are uncomfortable, yet the Power of God is able to lift us from the miry clay, and plant our feet upon our Solid Rock, Christ Jesus. Be encouraged, and be empowered by the Holy Spirit of God.
Let us never forget that a challenge is just a channel for our christian growth. Maintain your focus, and seek to see the hands of God, working in and through you. Be faithful in your storm, and give way for the Power of God to be fully established in you.
I pray that God comforts you in your challenge, and that you will endure to the very end of your way. God bless you, and whatever you do, just ‘Don’t Give Up!’
