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In my 30 years as a Christian I have gotten a whole lot of experience working with three groups of people that are frequently stubbornly immune to spiritual growth: recovering addicts, church people and myself! It is certainly not that we do not want to expand our life in Christ. We do. We even sing hymns concerning it. Most of us seek it directly in quiet times, by examining the Bible, or with praise gatherings. There are two problems with this technique. 1. These 3 practices do not guarantee spiritual growth; they could also end up being anti-growth. Worship and peaceful times are extensions of past development; Bible research is intellectual development. Some growth could develop. Even so if these aren't affixed in the correct method to the genuine chances for spiritual growth, we will stay the very same, or even worse, end up being like the Pharisees that had plenty of all three, yet resisted Jesus at every turn! 2. The second trouble is that our best chances for expanding in the spiritual life nearly never ever resemble God moments. As a matter of fact they often resemble events the enemy has actually initiated! That's why I like to say that spiritual growth possibilities come at us "sideways"--we find it hard to identify them. Just what are they? Circumstances we don't wish! Moments when stuff "hits the fan." Think manure. I once spread out cow manure all over our little garden and was impressed to see exactly what that provided for stimulating everything in the field! In the same way, you could be sure that when " (blank!) occurs" in your life, manure is being used by the Holy Spirit. Exactly what will you do regarding it? This is your spiritual growth chance. Will you go into anger and judgment? Depression and frustration? Stress and anxiety and fear? These are the old ways that you want to avoid. They spring to life from your pre-Christian nature. They will certainly never restore you to the peace of Christ that got stolen from you. Jesus points out that you need to deny your self-centered attitudes in moments like this in order to follow Him. So crucify that bit of flesh--and get free of it! The brand-new way is to find God in the very midst of all the adverse things that you may be feeling or that could still be going on around you. Confess that you are desperate for Him. Confess that you are stumbling and falling short. Call on Him for a rescue and hold on to Him! Go to God and receive His grace for you. This has to come at the head of the list. Much inner peace will be recovered! After that, one or all these three steps will have to be taken or there will be no growth. 1. Forgive. Jesus said that no matter what happened and regardless of how often it is required, we must forgive definitely anybody we have anything against (see Mark 11:25). Mercy is not a choice. There is no need to go seeking anyone else for a second opinion. When stuff occurs we will either forgive every person involved (ourselves included) or end up being rebels against His way. If forgiving is challenging for you to do, then that plainly reveals you require the growth! 2. Reconcile. Jesus states that we need to visit the ones who injured or angered us and try to reconcile with them (Matthew 18:15). Given that we are already forgiving them (step #1 ), it is now feasible to speak about the problem in selfless concern. This opens doors to being heard. In so doing both of us might grow. If the other declines to pay attention, keep your temper in check and you will certainly obtain the spiritual increase. 3. Submit. Whenever troubles occur, this usually indicate that something has gone wrong with the authority framework over us. Maybe the problem is with government, or our supervisor, or the church management, or various other leaders. If it is not within your ability to make corrections, take your tranquility back by re-surrendering to the management of the Holy Spirit over you through these all-too-human systems of authority (1 Peter 5:6 -7). Pray for exactly what you see is wrong and cast those burdens on the Lord! If these steps were simple, you would certainly have no need for spiritual growth in those moments when unwanted (blank!) is happening. If these steps were automated, everybody on the planet would certainly be transforming by leaps and bounds. So be at peace, give yourself a grace-break and fasten on a tough determination to go through your growth moments the Lord's way! Your spiritual health is based upon it. If you intend to live in the Spirit with inner peace indwelling you, do not let your tests be lost! Change the manure of life into spiritual growth! Steve Evans helps people regain their emotional freedom, so that their life in Christ can flow like a healing stream. The essential teachings from his popular workbook, Matters of the Heart, are free on the web. Begin now and claim your free copy of his unusual ebook, An Illustrated Guide to the Spiritual Life.
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spiritual growth, life in Christ, peace of Christ, inner peace, live in the Spirit, forgiveness, truth in love, recovering addicts, forgiving, reconcile,
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