“As you walk with God on life's journey, you realize that you are in a process of transformation.” - Kathy Spampinato

Change Doesn't Come Easily!

There is a difficulty we often find ourselves in. We are growing and changing, but it is not always evident on the outside. It is not always observable to others. This is where we get labeled hypocrites and frauds. We are depending on God, and working through our issues, but we are definitely not perfect. Whether as an individual or part of the church, others may look at us and say we are not even trying to change, or we're not really Christians. Some may decide we are just fleshly, and immature, while others label us as insincere or just putting on a “holier than thou” act. Our friends may think we’ve decided we’re better than they are. How do we answer these criticisms?

As you walk with God on life’s journey, you realize that you are in a process of transformation. You are NOT who you were at the start. Neither are you exactly who you would like to be now, or who you will be when He finishes the process. You are growing and changing. Some parts of the transformation happen very quickly with little effort or strain on your part. Other changes happen slowly and with great effort and pain as you strive to mold yourself to reflect God’s character. Human nature struggles with change. Typically, you’d rather stay comfortable in your weaknesses and sins than live uncomfortably; wrestling to be holy. Praise God that He has a plan.

When God was leading Samuel to find and anoint David, the future King of Israel, Samuel searched through the family and considered his brother, Eliab first.

1 Sam 16:7-9 NIV "But the Lord said to Samuel, Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. "

Be encouraged because God is not disappointed at your lack of progress on the outside. He is not critical of your weaknesses, because He sees your heart and He loves you. He knows that transformation has to happen on the inside first, before it bears fruit on the outside. God is also infinitely patient in the process of change. When your heart’s attitude towards God is to stick with Him, follow Him, and keep going, He is there for you.

Jesus was giving the disciples some words of wisdom before He departed from them. He knew that the disciples needed a coach as they continued to face life's challenges. They could only grow one step at a time. Jesus encouraged them to persevere, and promised them a helper.

John 16: 12-14 NIV "I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you."

John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

It is God who supplies us and equips us with everything we need to be victorious and godly in this life! We don't have to come up with the skills or the strategy. This equipping and supplying happens through our knowledge of Him. It is not just an intellectual thing; knowing what the Bible says about God. You need a life-changing experience where He proves Himself to you in a certain area. You then possess a knowing within you that is unshakable. Phil 4:19 " And my God will meet all of your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." You gain an inner conviction that this verse is true, and is for you.

2 Pet 1:3 "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness."

Let's decide to trust Him in this journey! We can do this with God's help.

Note: Today's Blog, is an excerpt from my book, "Spiritual Growth From the Inside to the Outside" 2018 by Kathy Spampinato