Yes, You're There 📍

Friends, 

Growing the way God intends means you’ll also experience challenges along the way.  Some are intense, making you hope for a peaceful destination.   

It’s like we think about vacationing.  No one wants to labor through an intense year only to take a weeklong beach trip where it rains nonstop.  That’s a letdown. 

Over time, however, I’ve learned that the next thing we may face following an intense growth journey is more challenges.  That’s what happened in this passage: 

Jesus and his disciples crossed Lake Galilee and came to shore near the town of Gerasa. When he was getting out of the boat, a man with an evil spirit quickly ran to him from the graveyard where he had been living. No one was able to tie the man up anymore, not even with a chain. He had often been put in chains and leg irons, but he broke the chains and smashed the leg irons. No one could control him (Mark 5:1 – 4, CEV). 

Contextually, Lord Jesus and His disciples had just left a torrential storm on Lake Galilee.  It was such an ordeal that Lord Jesus had to calm it down.  After an experience like that, you’d think the next stop was rest and relaxation.  On the contrary, they got off the boat and immediately experienced another challenge – a man with an evil spirit who couldn’t be controlled.  That’s definitely no vacation! 

Why did Lord Jesus guide them from one challenge to the next?  Sorry to burst your bubble, but if you’re asking this question, you’re asking the wrong question.  If they had truly grown as intended during the trip across Lake Galilee, then why not guide them to the next challenge? 

This is where understanding God’s perspective on growth is important.  Sometimes, He uses challenges to validate our growth.  Bringing the next challenge affirms that we passed the growth prerequisites beforehand. 

Here’s what I’m saying.  Challenges may be a sign that God trusts your maturity.  One of my favorite Scriptures says, “You are tempted in the same way that everyone else is tempted. But God can be trusted not to let you be tempted too much, and he will show you how to escape from your temptations” (1 Corinthians 10:13, CEV).  The message is clear.  God can be trusted not to let you be tempted, another way of describing challenges along our growth journeys, too much.  When you follow Him, like the disciples followed Lord Jesus, and challenges arise, then they must be what you can handle at your new level of maturity. 

In other words, challenges that arise after an intense period of growth may not be a red flag indicating you’ve gone in the wrong direction.  They may be a green light for you to go full steam ahead, leaning fully on God’s trust in your ability to succeed.  Here’s how. 

✅ Factor them in. 

When you’re planning a trip, it’s a good idea to check the weather beforehand.  That way, you’ll be prepared no matter what.  The same is true for spiritual growth journeys.  I’m giving you the forecast – challenges will happen afterwards.  Now, it’s up to you to factor them in, or be prepared to demonstrate your growth when they come.  That’s what Lord Jesus conveyed here: “I have told you this, so that you might have peace in your hearts because of me. While you are in the world, you will have to suffer. But cheer up! I have defeated the world” (John 16:33, CEV). 

✅ Face them with faith, not fear. 

Notice Lord Jesus’ response to the man with evil spirits: “When the man saw Jesus in the distance, he ran up to him and knelt down. He shouted, “Jesus, Son of God in heaven, what do you want with me? Promise me in God's name that you won't torture me!” The man said this because Jesus had already told the evil spirit to come out of him” (Mark 5:6 – 8, CEV).  He didn’t run from the challenge; He faced it head on.  Lord Jesus is our example.  When challenges arise, we also have potential to face them head on, full of faith, not fear. 

Let’s wrap this up.  Challenges that arise after intense growth seasons aren’t necessarily grounds for concern.  They may be evidence to confirm God’s approval of your growth.  When they are, view them as proverbial green lights and keep going by factoring them in and facing them with faith.   

I’m out of time, but definitely not out of things to talk about related to God.  If this blog post blessed you, then you must check out the first part of the conversation here: [Are You There Yet?] 

I’ll be back with another post soon.  Until then, remember this.  Challenges may be God’s way of telling you, “Yes, You’re There.”  You’ve arrived at the level of growth He desired.   

Have an incredible day!