Don't Hold a Grudge Against the Process of Spiritual Growth

While listening to a pastor minister, I heard them say, "Don't hold a grudge against the process." Those words really stood out to me and resonated deeply because of what I've been going through. It made me stop and reflect. I began to ask myself, "Have I been holding a grudge against the process God has allowed me to go through?"

When God is leading you to a place you've never been before, it a process. You'll face experiences you've never encountered and battles you've never fought. Everything feels different, and everything is new. That's why, even in the midst of a challenging process, it's essential to draw closer to God, keeping you tuned to His voice.

Listen, sis, the journey isn't easy. It will make you second-guess yourself, wondering if you’re doing something wrong or if you’ve sinned against God. It can leave you in a place of doubt and uncertainty. Fear may try to creep in because, yes, this is a process. But in the midst of it all, I realized that God is at work, removing things that need to go. And when He takes something out, it’s to make room for what He wants to put in.

To get us where He wants us to be, God has to cleanse, wash, and purify us. He has to uproot things that have been lying dormant within us. There are things He wants to remove so we can see and hear more clearly. So yes, the process is tough, and we may not always understand it. But in that process, we must trust God, knowing that everything He does is working together for our good, for our growth.

Sometimes, we don’t even realize we’re in a process. We might not understand why certain things are happening—why people are leaving, why finances are tight, why hours at work are being cut. But it’s all part of the process. God is leading us to a deeper place in Him, and sometimes that requires taking us to a quiet, secluded place. Even in the process, we can’t afford to hold on to grudges because God is using this time to grow and mature us spiritually.

Spiritual growth is a journey filled with ups and downs, triumphs and trials, clarity and confusion. It’s not a straight line but a winding path that often challenges us in ways we never expected. Sometimes, the process of growing spiritually can be frustrating, especially when we encounter setbacks or don’t see immediate results. However, it's crucial not to hold a grudge against this process. Instead, we should embrace it, trusting that God is at work in us, even when it doesn't feel like it.

1. Trust in God's Timing: One of the greatest challenges in spiritual growth is trusting God's timing. We live in a world that demands instant results, but spiritual growth doesn't happen overnight. Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us, "To everything, there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven." This verse encourages us to trust that God has a perfect timing for every stage of our spiritual journey. Even when progress seems slow, we must remember that God is not in a hurry, and His timing is always perfect.

   
   

2. Let Go of Frustration and Embrace Patience: Frustration can easily lead to holding a grudge against the process. However, James 1:4 teaches us, "But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." Patience is essential in spiritual growth. It allows us to endure the process without becoming bitter or resentful. By embracing patience, we allow God to complete His work in us, making us whole and mature in our faith.

   
   

3. Learn from Setbacks and Mistakes: Setbacks and mistakes are inevitable in any growth process. Instead of holding a grudge against these moments, we should see them as opportunities for learning and refinement. Romans 8:28 assures us, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." This verse reminds us that even our mistakes and setbacks can be used by God for our good. Every challenge we face is an opportunity to grow stronger in our faith and closer to God.

   
   

4. Keep Your Eyes on the Goal: When we focus too much on the difficulties of the process, we can lose sight of the ultimate goal—becoming more like Christ. Hebrews 12:1-2 encourages us, "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith..." By keeping our eyes on Jesus, we can endure the process with joy, knowing that He is guiding us every step of the way.

   
   

5. Choose Gratitude Over Grudges: Finally, it's important to cultivate a heart of gratitude instead of holding onto grudges. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 instructs us, "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." When we choose to be grateful for the process, we align ourselves with God's will and open our hearts to receive His peace and joy. Gratitude shifts our focus from what we don't like about the process to what God is doing in us through it. *

In Conclusion the process of spiritual growth is not always easy, but it's always worth it. By trusting God's timing, embracing patience, learning from setbacks, keeping our eyes on Jesus, and choosing gratitude, we can avoid holding a grudge against the process. Remember, God is faithful to complete the good work He began in you (Philippians 1:6). So, let go of any resentment, and embrace the beautiful journey of becoming more like Christ.

Let's Pray!

Heavenly Father, I come before You with a heart that desires to be free from any grudge or bitterness. Your Word says, "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you" (Ephesians 4:31-32, ESV). Lord, I ask for Your grace to live out this command, even in the midst of my process.

I acknowledge that this process is not easy, and sometimes I find myself holding on to hurt, resentment, or disappointment. But Your Word reminds me that "The anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God" (James 1:20, ESV). So, I surrender these emotions to You, knowing that they do not serve Your purpose in my life.

Father, Your Word also says, "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all" (Romans 12:18, ESV). Help me to pursue peace, even when circumstances are challenging and people disappoint me. Let Your peace, which surpasses all understanding, guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7, ESV).

Lord, I pray for the strength to forgive as You have forgiven me. Help me to remember that "love covers a multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:8, ESV), and let me choose love over bitterness. Give me the courage to release every grudge, knowing that "vengeance is Yours, You will repay" (Romans 12:19, ESV). I trust You to handle every wrong, every hurt, and every offense.

Thank You for being my refuge and strength during this process. I choose to lean on You, trusting that You are working everything for my good and Your glory (Romans 8:28, ESV). Let my heart remain soft and open to Your leading, and let me walk in love, forgiveness, and grace, just as Christ walked. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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