| Just about everyone knows that spiritual growth and | | | | believe rather than what I say I believe. |
| spiritual transformation determine your walk with God. | | | | That may seem odd to you, but sometimes I don't |
| But does everyone realize that their personal beliefs | | | | know what I truly believe until difficult times come into |
| affect the success they seek both physically and | | | | my life. Without a doubt, what's on the inside of me |
| spiritually? | | | | comes out. At times, I'm amazed at the thoughts I |
| It's taken me over 50 years to realize that my beliefs | | | | have toward others. Knowing the Bible means nothing |
| have propelled, prevented, or put on hold my pursuits in | | | | if I am not willing to apply what I've learned into the |
| life. Only now am I realizing that eveything I thought I | | | | daily circumstances of my life. For me, that's the only |
| believed, I didn't. It's easy to say something, but owning | | | | way to overcome my negative thoughts and |
| it in actions is completely different. | | | | meaningless actions. |
| You may ask, "What do you mean?" Simply put, I | | | | Without a doubt, spiritual transformation will be a |
| mean that it's easy for me to say that I love God and | | | | lifetime process for me. I agree with the statement, |
| that I love other people. But in actuality, sometimes I | | | | "You behave as you behave because you believe as |
| find that my love for God and others depend on | | | | you believe." I am no longer surprised when my beliefs |
| what's in it for me. When I'm struggling and can't get | | | | reveal that I've lied to myself - again. It only shows me |
| peace of mind, I'm not thinking about spiritual growth or | | | | that without God, my walk and beliefs fall far short of |
| spiritual transformation. | | | | where I should be in Him. |
| It may be offensive to some, but when I'm struggling, I | | | | Spiritual growth and spiritual transformation are great. |
| want the quickest relief possible. Sometimes God | | | | Walking with God is one of the greatest priviledges I |
| doesn't seem to respond to my requests for relief as | | | | have. But looking inside me, acknowledging what I truly |
| quickly as I think He should. Since I'm not a patient | | | | believe, and changing my beliefs that are inconsistent |
| person - yes, I know God is working on me in that | | | | with God's Word are not easy. Alone, it is impossible - |
| area - I search for relief in other places. That search | | | | that's why I am unable to get "unstuck" at times. |
| usually begins by seeking out people who can help me. | | | | Spiritual growth and spiritual transformation affect |
| I don't know about you, but for me, seldom are people | | | | everyone who wants to walk with God and obey His |
| the relief I need when I'm struggling. Even though I say I | | | | Word. Are you like me--do you get "stuck" when your |
| love them, they can really get on my nerves in a short | | | | actions and beliefs are not in sync with God's Word? |
| period of time when I come to them for help. They | | | | There's nothing wrong with being "stuck" as long as |
| want to tell me about their problems or what's going | | | | you know how to get "unstuck." |
| on in their lives, when I'm dying on the inside. What kind | | | | Gradually, I'm learning what walking with God means |
| of relief is that? | | | | as well as how my spiritual growth leads to spiritual |
| What God has taught me during stress times is that | | | | transformation. I'd like to share the lessons I've learned |
| He's refining me and showing me my true beliefs. It | | | | with you. You can learn more about spiritual growth |
| seems that the best way for me to grow spiritually is | | | | and spiritual transformation in my book, Becoming |
| through difficult times. You see, I respond to what I truly | | | | God's Vessel of Honor. |