Maturing in Christ
the price of accepting Jesus in your life, and the promised joy in return
Everyone struggles with something.
That family you see at church, the person you barely talk to at work, your beloved family member with the disability that makes it hard for them to speak or explain their emotion. Everyone has a story so intricate and unique that only God would perfectly understand.
For the past couple of years, my relationship with Jesus is being made new everyday; a lot of rebuilding, reconstructing, and repenting. My relationship with God has matured now, for the better (and with many other parts of it still needing more work and that’s okay) I’ve been seeing so many practicing Christians currently going through (or have gone through) some kind of renewal on what their faith truly means for them. What about yours?
You see, I’m painfully learning that maturing in Christ has its price, LOL. It could be letting go or pausing friendships that brought so much light and love to you during youth (growing apart hurts), it could be getting rid of what’s not giving you peace anymore. I’m currently going through different types of these examples, lol- and it’s been such a struggle for me. It’s like I am incredibly attached to these things that used to bring me so much happiness and relief growing up (certain friendships, habits, lifestyle, etc). I mean there’s nothing wrong with them, it’s just that I’ve grown so much that my spirit doesn’t resonate or feel nourished being attached to these things anymore. It’s honestly heartbreaking.
Another BIG thing with my anxiety is that I feel deeply attached to what people possibly think of or feel about me, may they be true or false (most of which probably false, lol) I am an expert over-thinker. And it really affects my efforts to fully prioritize the Lord’s opinions about me and my life. So imagine my horror, how harsh it truly feels to know that I am not who I used to be anymore, knowing I’d have to drop some things out of my life, because of Jesus?
And imagine my delight (!!!) , in the gift that Christ offers when you and I decide to dedicate our lives to the glory of God, our Jesus! To dedicate ourselves to the new things that bring us more peace, more flourishing life choices, and relationships.
This short video gave me so much light and inspired my post. I hope it does the same for you. 🩶
Something that has been helping my maturity in Christ is reading, listening, and studying the words of Jesus Christ. I’ve been studying The Book of Mormon a lot with my husband and it has been giving us so much peace and love in our marriage. The Book of Mormon has been helping us make better decisions everyday, and have more confidence in Jesus!
Studying The Book of Mormon has been helping me commit to the knowledge that my greatest validation of love, personal decisions, and my true identity only comes from the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. I know that The Book of Mormon is the word of God, because it has brought me closer to Jesus, and never fails to soothe my anxiety over many things.
The Book of Mormon: 1 Nephi 7:12
12 Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to do all things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him? Wherefore, let us be faithful to him.
Let the Lord move you to the truth about who you are. Let yourself mature in Jesus. The growth and sacrifice to know and keep Jesus in your life can take you to your greatest breakthrough, a Joy and Peace that only Jesus can give you and nothing/no one else.
Prayerfully anchoring yourself in the Word of God will give you the courage you’ll need to step into the new and maturing you in Jesus Christ. Because we are His, our souls are engraved in all His names—names we can also strive to identify with all our lives, one being a child of our Loving and Almighty Father.
Move faithfully to mature in His many names that He lived by, for you.
I love you, I know it’s scary and even lonely at times, but the Lord never breaks His promises, so let’s continue in hopeful confidence, daily repentance, and trust in His perfect timing.
Which of His names resonate the most with you at this time?
And a very happy holidays to you and your family, dear reader!! 🫶🏼✨
