My son is now a toddler. And on occasion, he experiences some restless nights. During this time, he might wake frequently with crying outbursts. This could be due to his body stretching some in length. Or, he may be encountering the last of his baby teeth cutting through his gums. It is no wonder, as his little body is enduring some growing pains. The good news is there are remedies to relieve him of these pains!
While currently pregnant, I, too, have endured some growing pains of my own. As my belly gets bigger, other body parts tend to ache more quickly than they once did. While driving, if I sit up too erect then my stomach begins cramping. I have to recline my seat back in order to relieve pressure. My feet become sore easily from standing too long, which can be easily rectified by taking breaks to sit. If I sleep on my back at night, it begins to hurt from the weight of my growing baby. I can find comfort from the full-length body pillows that support my back!
Well.. It should come as no surprise to me that when I grow spiritually I also may endure some pains. As my spirit man grows, myself (flesh) has to diminish. I am coming to understand that living by the Spirit is giving Him control and allowing myself to relinquish control. He must become greater; I must become less.- John 3:30 (NIV).
Living for my flesh is for selfish gain. For when we were in the realm of the flesh, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in us..- Romans 7:5(NIV). Selfishness is in direct opposition to what God’s Word commands. And if I continue to live by my flesh, then I am not in full accordance with the Spirit of God. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh..- Galatians 5:17 (NIV).
I am instructed to crucify the desires of my flesh. Indeed, with this comes pain. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.- Galatians 5:24 (NIV). In this context, this is a metaphor that suggests this: “to crucify the flesh, destroy its power utterly (the nature of the figure implying that the destruction is attended with intense pain)”. [Reference Here]
The good news is there is a remedy to relieve me of these pains! I can walk in freedom knowing that my selfish, sinful flesh was already crucified by the sacrifice of Jesus dying on the cross. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.- Galatians 2:20 (NIV).
Once my mind is transformed to receive this truth, I can truly live in full accordance with the Spirit of God! But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.- Romans 7:6 (NIV).
It’s true, through my previous pain I can experience a transforming growth. A growth that produces much fruit. Though, not by myself but by the Spirit who lives in me. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!- Galatians 5:22&23 (NLT). For by relinquishing my control I acknowledge that it is by God I live and move and have my being (Acts 17:28).
“So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. ..Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.”- Hebrews 6:1&12 (NLT)
Sacred Sheep 