Growing Pains
11May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness off sins. —Colossians 1:11-14
Ask any seasoned Christian what their life has been like since trusting Christ as their Savior, and you might be surprised at the responses you get. Most would say the road has not been easy. Some might say it’s been surprising, and that God has brought them through certain circumstances they never could have predicted. An honest few would say that they have been shocked at the depth and intensity of the trials that they have experienced since becoming a follower. So, I ask you, are you enjoying a season of victory, or a time of feeling defeated?
You might be thinking, “Jason, why do you ask? Why does it matter what season I’m in?” Well, it matters because a lot of Christians don’t realize why things happen to them or how they are supposed to respond.
The first question we have to ask ourselves is what really happened when I became a Christian. In Colossians 1, Paul writes of Christians having redemption and forgiveness of sins. But that’s not all he talks about. Paul also speaks of the power of Jesus’ name to deliver us from the domain of darkness and transfer us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.
It means that even though our sins were forgiven, or we can get into heaven, we are going to be delivered from our dark ways and be transferred into the kingdom of Christ. One deliverance happens at conversion. We are delivered from hell at conversion, but it will take time to be transferred from our own personal “darkness” into the righteous kingdom of Christ.
So, are you experiencing victory or defeat in your life? Do you ever ask yourself, “Why can’t I stop? Why am I struggling?” If you are, you are experiencing what it feels like to be delivered from the domain of darkness. At the cross, the shackles of sin are broken and the process of transformation begins. At the cross, the Son sets you free and gives you the Holy Spirit to change and mold you.
Remember, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed! Just give it time, and know that if you are in a season of defeat, its just growing pains. —Jason Fevig
Journal:
· How do I usually respond to seasons of trials?
· Am I confident of what they are accomplishing in my life?
Prayer – Heavenly Father, thank You that you delivered me from darkness and hell. Thank You for transferring me into the kingdom of Christ. I truly am grateful for all You have done for me. It’s just this painful process of change that’s so hard. Help me learn all you want me to in each trial. Give me faith to trust You know what’s best. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
