There are no shortcuts to spiritual maturity. It takes years. Every day God wants you to become a little more like him. God is more concerned about how strong we grow, than how fast. God’s never in a hurry.

The moment you open yourself to Christ, you may think you have surrendered all your life to him, but the truth is, there is a lot to your life that you aren't even aware of. That's okay. Discipleship is the process of conforming to Christ.

Why does it take so long to change and grow up?

• We are slow learners. We often have to relearn a lesson forty or fifty times to really get it.
• We have a lot to unlearn. Problems often took years to develop. We have old habits, patterns, and practices that need to be removed and replaced.
• We are afraid to humbly face the truth about ourselves. Truth will set us free, but it often makes us miserable first. We fear what we might discover so we keep living in denial.
• Growth is often painful and scary. There is no growth without change; there is no change without pain. Fear can slow down your growth.
• Habits take time to develop. There is only one way to develop the habits of Christlike character: You must practice them, and that takes time!

 

There are several ways to cooperate with God in the process:

• Believe God is working in your life even when you don't feel it. It's fine to pray for a miracle, but don't be disappointed if the answer comes through a gradual change.
• Keep a notebook or journal of lessons learned. Reviewing this regularly can spare you a lot of unnecessary pain and heartache.
• Be patient with God and with yourself. One of life's frustrations is that God's timetable is not ours. We are often in a hurry when God isn't.
• Don't get discouraged. A delay is not a denial from God. You are not where you want to be, but neither are you where you used to be. God isn't finished with you yet. 

 

Question to Consider:
In what area of my spiritual growth do I need to be more patient and persistent?

 

Verse to Remember:

God began doing a good work in you, and I am sure He will continue it until it is finished when Jesus Christ comes again.

Philippians 1:6