Let’s be honest, everyone faces challenges. We have all faced setbacks and times when God is pruning us to develop us. We have all walked through seasons where God is trying to birth something in us. It could be increased patience, walking in love, or developing perseverance. Whatever the case may be, it is not much fun during those periods, is it? Often, times of development are necessary. Challenges are a part of our human experience and even in those times, growth happens, testimonies are born, the opportunity to teach others who may face the same challenges we’ve received victory over, is there.
But what if we looked at these situations from a spiritual perspective? Ephesians 2:10 says: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (English Standard Version). Since we are his workmanship, he has full “creative” control. Think of an artist that creates portraits. That artist controls the paintbrush, the colors that will be used, and the size of the portrait. No one tells the artist how to paint the vision that he/she sees for that portrait because they cannot see the vision that the artist sees. A person observing can see glimpses of that vision as the portrait is being created but still cannot see the full picture until it is completed.
It is like that in the spiritual when God is birthing something in us or allowing us to walk through a challenge that will develop us. I may see my patience being tested, where it seems like everyone is getting on my nerves all the sudden. I can assume that God is developing patience in me. But that may be just a portion of the work he is doing in me. Maybe another part that I may not see until that period is over, is that he was also refining my ability to walk in love. Maybe he also wanted to develop my ability to control my tongue! This is good, not just for our development, but to also serve as a witness to those around us as they witness Christ-like qualities in action.
So, what is the main point here? Although it may not be fun. Although sometimes we wish that God didn’t allow us to face some of the challenges that he has allowed in our lives, and even if we wish he didn’t allow the challenges or pruning to happen, we can push through. We’re not too weak to handle these things. We do not have to carry the burden of walking through these things in our own strength. We are not without help and support through the process. We know that, even if it is difficult to endure, God is for us and with us through it all. This is good news! So, whatever you are walking through, or if you are in a time of development, you can push through knowing that on the other side of that, there is good!
God bless you!
Nadirah Fareed