I remember helping one of my sons with his Algebra many years ago. He wanted the answers NOW. He didn’t want to have to go through a process. It was hard for me not to just give him the answers, but I knew it would benefit him more to work through it and “discover.” Out of love, I had to deny him immediate results, because I wanted him to learn to grow in knowledge and understanding.
I was a firm believer of the discovery process when I was a teacher, too. Children would retain more of what they learned if they had to go through the process. Hand-feeding them immediate answers did not help them in the process of learning to their advantage.
Spiritual life is a process, too. A continuing, life-long process as we become more and more refined into God’s image, into the person He has created us to be. We need to become more deeply saturated in the knowledge and understanding of His Divine character and His genuine love for us.
The process is grueling and self-stripping, leaving only the love and grace of Jesus. Some of the things God uses to bring us through His process can be downright frustrating. We want the complete healing NOW, but that wouldn’t benefit us. If God would give us immediate answers, we would be in a sorry state. We wouldn’t really, truly learn, would we? Can you imagine how “entitled” we would become?
Like Paul, I begged God to remove the cross of chronic illness from me. God again and again reminds me that the cross must stay, but His grace is sufficient. This cross is part of the process to grow in Christ. I’m trying to learn to accept it more as a gift. That no matter what, God loves me and only wants what is good for me.
“Each time He said, “My grace is all you need.
My power works best in weakness.”
So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses,
so that the power of Christ can work through me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9
Because of past sexual, spiritual, and emotional abuse, I still deal with deep, unhealed pits of shame in my soul that will take a life-long process to overcome. Yes, in Christ we are wholly and completely healed, but He chooses to lead us through a process that will bring us closer to Him and give us a deeper knowledge and understanding of what depths of suffering He went through to save us. What deep, bottomless love He has for us! And He wants us to learn to have a deeper relationship with Him and His love.
These last weeks, I took a break from blogging. I felt overwhelmed, and I wanted to ground myself more into who God really is and who I am in Christ. But I’m learning there are no quick answers. Nothing comes at the snap of our fingers, and that’s a good thing.
I’m not very good at uncertainties, but I have to learn to believe God is with me through the process and He has me in the palm of His hand. This life will always be a struggle until that day of complete perfection in Christ, when we may finally be with Him face to face. And I’m learning that’s ok. I just need to lean into Jesus and trust He is a safe Confidant and a faithful Promise-Keeper.
I thought I shouldn’t come back here until I’m more grounded, but God doesn’t expect perfection from us. As Holley Gerth says in You’re Loved No Matter What :
“We can spend our whole lives trying to
‘improve’ who we are to please someone else.
But we’re better off embracing who God made us,
enjoying it, and sharing who we are to others.”
I’m coming back with all my imperfections and trusting God will supply all I need as He has promised. Maybe the times when I groan with what to write are growing pains and part of the process. Maybe it’s God’s way to make me more dependent on Him for every word I write.
My dear readers, we are so utterly dependent on Him, aren’t we? Let’s try to let Him lead us through life’s process, however painful it can be. However frustrated we may become. Immediate answers would harm us, but God’s growing-in-Him process will only prosper us.
“Transformation is a process,
and as life happens there are tons of ups and downs.
It’s a journey of discovery –
there are moments on mountaintops
and moments in deep valleys of despair.”
~ Rick Warren
I hope that we can together support each other through this journey of discovery. Let’s rejoice together on our mountaintops and lift each other through those deep valleys. May we discover ever deeper what amazing, matchless love Jesus has for us. May we encourage each other that Jesus is always with us, no matter what. May we remind each other that His learning process will not leave us alone and unloved but will lead us into the glorious beauty of His love, grace, and mercy. In the end, the answer is out-of-this-world!
“But grow in grace (undeserved favor, spiritual strength)
and recognition and knowledge and understanding
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (the Messiah).
To Him [be] glory (honor, majesty, and splendor)
both now and to the day of eternity. Amen (so be it)!”
2 Peter 3:18 AMP
“Live Like You’re Loved”
by Hawk Nelson
May we grow in the grace
and knowledge of Christ Jesus!
May we realize how precious we are to Him!
Linking up with:
Holley – Coffee For Your Heart
Jennifer – Tell His Story
Kelly – Cheerleaders of Faith
Bonnie – Faith Barista’s Beloved Brews
Freed to Fly 
“I’m coming back with all my imperfections and trusting God will supply all I need as He has promised. Maybe the times when I groan with what to write are growing pains and part of the process. Maybe it’s God’s way to make me more dependent on Him for every word I write.” Amen! I can completely relate. I am so thankful you are back… you have truly been missed!
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I’m so glad you can relate, Michelle. The way of growth isn’t always easy, is it? It’s great to “see” you here again, too, Michelle. May God guide you in your writing for Him! Hugs!
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How I appreciate and cherish you and your heart, Trudy. Thank you. Your words always resonate.
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Hi Sita. It’s good to connect with you again though you have still been in my thoughts. I’m glad this resonates for you. Thank you for your kind and caring words. May God give you ever more strength and healing! Hugs!
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“God’s growing-in-Him process will only prosper us.” Amen, Trudy! It’s wonderful to read your words again and be deeply blessed by their insight, truth, wisdom and beautiful encouragement. This is a post rich in meaning and with much to ponder. Welcome back, my friend. I’ve missed you! Xx ❤
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I’m grateful you were blessed, Joy. Thank you for your loving words and encouragement. It’s great to be in this growing-in-Him process together! May God bring you ever deeper into His rest and His healing! Hugs!
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I love the word process, there is hope buried in it and freedom. Great post.
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Thank you, Betty. I love that you see hope and freedom in the word “process.” Thank you for giving me this powerful thought. I too often begrudge the process and want the result right away, but I’m learning the process is essential to our welfare. God bless you and give you ever deeper hope and freedom in Jesus! Hugs!
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i’m not very good at uncertainties, either! But you’re right, it is all a process – a life long process, and in that process, God seeks to mold us in His image and teach us to trust. Very well said. Thank you for sharing on #RaRa Tuesdays Link up!
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Thank you, Ruthie. Uncertainties are so hard, aren’t they? I love how you describe “The Journey” in your May 18 post. It really encouraged me. He is with us every step of the way – “Fear not, for I am with you.” No matter how dark the valley is. May we become more molded into God’s image as we travel this journey together. Hugs!
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I’m with you on this, Trudy, that God travels with us, shaping and moulding us in the midst of our battles and illnesses and circumstances! I too have a chronic condition, and I daily give it to Him to use it as He will… and He remains abundantly faithful 🙂
I look forward to reading more, so glad I visited from #RaRaLinkup!
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Welcome, Christine. I’m sorry you have to deal with a chronic condition, too. It’s so much easier when we can daily surrender it to Him, isn’t it? Yes, He is so faithful, even when we murmur, complain, or get depressed. I loved your today’s post. Praying God will give your life-starved soul much needed nourishment! Hugs!
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Trudy,
Your words are a balm as you invite us into the process of healing…I pray God continues to comfort and encourage you on your healing journey…Thank you for your honesty and your willingness to trust God in the midst of your pain…((hugs))
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A “balm.” I’m so glad these words are soothing to you. Thank you, Dolly, for your kind words and prayers. God is so patient and faithful with me even when my heart fills up with doubts instead of trust. Praying also for God to continue your healing journey as well! Hugs!
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I’m not very good at uncertainties either. But I am working on it, or rather, God is working it on me. 🙂 I want to trust Him more that He will reveal what He wants me to know, when He wants me to know it. And let that be fine with me. Thanks for sharing your heart, Trudy.
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“God is working it on me.” So true, Lisa. We need Him so much. I’m finding I need to stop “my working on it” to allow “His work” to grow in me. Longing to trust Him along with you. May we both learn more and more to surrender our all unto Him! Hugs!
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Trudy,
I’ve missed you! (And I looked for you too these past weeks — at Bonnie’s and Holley’s!) I want to journey with you now through these days, rather than wait until you feel grounded or have more answers. I want to share your uncertainties and discouraging days because I’m right there with you, without a lot of answers to some of my life’s questions and plenty of discouraging days too! So glad I’ve met you on this blogging journey and even if you have just have a few words to post — please do, friend! xo
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Your encouragement really touches my heart and is truly a gift from God. I missed you and am glad I have met you, too, Valerie. I’m so grateful we can go on this journey together. May God guide, comfort, and encourage you! Hugs!
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I can identify. So many times I feel so lacking and what I have to share so worthless. I too have a hurtful past full of shame. Don’t believe the lie that you need to stay on the sidelines and let the other talented people be especially used by God. We all have our “storerooms” of treasure that Jesus filled. And we need to share the gems. I’m always surprised at what happens when I do.
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I’m glad you can identify, Debbie, though I am saddened you have a past full of shame. What beautiful encouragement that Jesus fills storerooms of treasures in each of us that He wants us to share! Love it! May Jesus give you ever deeper hope, healing, and freedom in Him! Hugs!
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HI Trudy! Sounds like we both have seen some ‘dead ends’ in our time. I’m glad you took some time off to spend some time coming to peace. Nothing is more important than that. I love that quote from Holley Gerth. I often feel not up to what God has planned for me, or even tomorrow! But it’s really a peaceful place to accept who I am, and to even enjoy it!
I hope you will enjoy where you are, as you continue to heal. It won’t come fast, but it will come!
Blessings,
Ceil
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Hi Ceil. Thank you for your encouragement. I do need to enjoy more where I am. Yes! The healing WILL come. 🙂 May God give you strength and courage to go forward in whatever God has planned for you! Hugs! I hope your leg is doing much better!
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TRUDY!!!!! :):):) you’re back!!!!!
I’ve missed you and your posts and was excited to see you at the link up today! 🙂
I too took a bit of a break as I have been feeling a bit stuck.
Your post spoke straight to my heart and brought tears to my eyes. God has all but got right up in my face and asked me to trust him for my future. I keep hearing things about his timing. All along I’ve been fighting an unsettling and frustration of the not knowing. I don’t know that I’ve been chased so much by Him and reminded daily of these things: Trust, Hope, and Anchor.
Looking forward to reading more of your posts soon? 🙂
(((HUGS)))) my friend! I’m so glad to “see” you here again!
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It’s good to “see” you again, too, Krista! Your excitement moves me to tears. I’m so glad this post spoke to your heart. I’m sorry you feel stuck. I love your daily reminders: Trust, Hope, and Anchor. May God give you guidance, strength, and inspiration! I hope I will get to read more of your posts as well! Hugs!
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I know I all too easily start depending on my own misleading “strength”.
Glad you took a break and are back!
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Thank you, Sarah. Yes, it’s easy to trust our own strength. It surely takes grace to surrender all to God and let Him do the leading, doesn’t it? May God give you grace sufficient for all your needs! Hugs!
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