We’re to GROW into being like JESUS

God’s goal and purpose has always been to make you like Himself. When he first created man, He said, “let us create an after our own image” (Gen 1:26). So now that we are born again, He wants us to become like His Son. In other words, he wants you to grow up spiritually. “From the very beginning God decided that those who came to him—and all along he knew who would—should become like his Son.” Rom 8:29 (TLB)

Some of you may ask, “Why is this happening to me?” I’ll tell you why: It’s to help you grow.

In fact, Just like with a child, all you experience, everything in life can help you grow up spiritually—the good, the bad, the ugly, the things you bring on yourself, and the things that other people do to you. God is not the author of evil. But God can bring good out of bad things.

Every situation in life will either make you bitter or make you better. It’s your choice how you choose to respond. Instead of asking, “God, why is this happening to me?” ask, “God, what do you want me to learn from this?”

Every problem has a purpose: to help you grow up spiritually and be more like Jesus Christ. But those problems will only come through in your favor if you bring them to Jesus. Not if you try to handle them on your own.

What is Jesus like? Just look at the fruit of the Spirit. The Bible says, “He will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Gal 5:22-23 TLB). These are the qualities God wants to develop in you.

God is not the One bringing trouble in your lIfe, but as a loving Father, when you’re in difficulty, He’ll lead you to LEARN the fruit of His spirit.

If you turn to Him every time, He’ll show you how to overcome every difficulty, everytime. He’ll teach you to be loving when you’re around people that are not easy to love. You learn joy in the middle of grief. It’s when you’re surrounded by chaos that God will bring His peace to you. He teaches you patience when it seems like the line you’re standing in goes on forever.

God will teach you these qualities throughout your life—and the process will take the rest of your life. But you can trust that, whatever you face today, he will use it to help you develop spiritual depth and become more like Christ.

Remember, always look to Him. “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your path”. (Pro 3:6)