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