STEP FOUR: GROW
BY PASTOR JADY GRIFFIN
OVERCOMING WALLS
Do you ever feel like you've hit a wall in your spiritual journey? You're not alone! Many of us desire to grow spiritually and move forward, but sometimes we can feel stuck, and our personal growth seems to be hindered. How we can break free from the limitations holding us back and embrace the spiritual growth God has in store for us?
A RIPPED PANTS LESSON
I remember hosting an event called "Bros and Tacos" during my time in college ministry. While playing a game called Lightsaber, I accidentally ripped my pants wide open, quickly realizing that I had outgrown them. This embarrassing moment taught me that when we outgrow something, it brings tension to the seams trying to hold it together. Just like my pants, we can feel the tension when we desire to grow spiritually but encounter barriers.
THE EFFECTS OF TRAUMA
Trauma can have a stunting effect on our emotional growth. Painful experiences from our past can build walls, hindering us from progressing in our spiritual journey. These walls might manifest as patterns of frustration, anger, bitterness, or mistrust, or they might be behavioral, like spending habits or addictive behaviors.
HOW TO BREAK THROUGH
Ephesians 4:22-24 tells us to put off our old self and put on the new self, “created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” We need the power of Jesus to heal our hearts and give us a new mind so we can grow into our full potential. But how do we break free from these walls?
WRONG PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME
In Judges 6, we read about Gideon, who was threshing wheat in a winepress to hide from the Midianites. This was an unsuitable environment for the task, but Gideon was still working despite the limitations. God called Gideon a mighty warrior and showed him that the strength within him was bigger than he knew. Like Gideon, we can break free from our limitations and grow into our God-given potential by facing our fears and trusting in God's faithfulness.
ROOM TO GROW
God wants us to grow and break down the walls that our past pain has built. Just as my houseplants eventually need bigger pots to continue growing, we need to break free from the limitations of our past to fully embrace the spiritual growth God has planned for us. Jesus is the only one who can shatter these walls and make everything new.
TAKE A STEP
To embrace spiritual growth, we must take action. Consider signing up for Freedom Prayer, registering for a Growth Course, or reading a Christian book that addresses your area of need. Pray and ask God to help you grow in those areas where you feel stuck. By taking these steps, you can break free from the barriers holding you back and become the mighty warrior God created you to be.