Healing Through God's Process of Maturity
Summary
### Summary
Tonight's message is centered on the theme "The God of Process," inspired by Philippians 1:6, which speaks of God's commitment to maturing us until the return of Jesus Christ. We are all in a continuous process where God is developing our character, gifts, and emotional maturity to make us more Christ-like. This process often involves dealing with emotional wounds that can influence our thoughts, feelings, and decisions. Emotional wounds, much like physical ones, can leave lasting effects on our spirit, soul, and body. They often stem from negative experiences such as loss, rejection, betrayal, or abuse, and can lead to issues like anxiety, depression, and insecurity.
The message emphasizes the importance of facing these emotional wounds rather than running from them. God desires to heal our broken hearts and bind our wounds, but this requires us to stop avoiding, suppressing, or blaming others for our pain. Instead, we need to turn to God, the ultimate healer. The process of healing is not easy; it can be likened to Jonah's time in the belly of the whale—dark, cold, and uncomfortable. However, it is in this process that God refines us, restores our hearts, and establishes our identity.
Practical steps for walking through this healing process include being honest with God and others, identifying the root causes of our emotional wounds, seeking wise counsel, serving others, and holding on to God's promises. The process may not look the way we expect, but it is always the best path for our complete healing. God is not interested in half-healings; He desires to make us whole. The message concludes with a call to action, encouraging everyone to start their healing process and trust in God's faithfulness and compassion.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Commitment to Our Maturity: God is committed to developing us into fully grown, emotionally and spiritually mature individuals. This process involves dealing with our emotional wounds, which can influence our thoughts, feelings, and decisions. By allowing God to heal these wounds, we can become more Christ-like and live in the present with a vision for the future. [01:26:06]
2. Facing Emotional Wounds: Emotional wounds are often the result of negative experiences and can lead to issues like anxiety, depression, and insecurity. These wounds need to be addressed rather than avoided or suppressed. God desires to heal our broken hearts and bind our wounds, but this requires us to stop running from our pain and turn to Him. [01:27:45]
3. The Importance of the Healing Process: The process of healing is not easy and can be likened to Jonah's time in the belly of the whale—dark, cold, and uncomfortable. However, it is in this process that God refines us, restores our hearts, and establishes our identity. We must trust that God's ways are above our ways and that His process is the best path for our complete healing. [01:45:20]
4. Practical Steps for Healing: Practical steps for walking through the healing process include being honest with God and others, identifying the root causes of our emotional wounds, seeking wise counsel, serving others, and holding on to God's promises. These steps help us to stop avoiding, suppressing, or blaming others for our pain and instead turn to God for healing. [01:48:03]
5. God's Faithfulness and Compassion: Throughout the healing process, we can experience God's faithfulness and compassion. He is a God who weeps with us in our pain, extends grace, and never gives up on us. By trusting in His faithfulness and compassion, we can find the strength to continue the healing process and become whole. [01:56:15]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:24:45] - Introduction: The God of Process
[01:26:06] - Understanding Maturity
[01:27:45] - Emotional Wounds and Their Impact
[01:29:20] - Personal Testimony of Healing
[01:30:45] - Identifying Emotional Wounds
[01:32:13] - Causes of Emotional Wounds
[01:33:43] - Recognizing Emotional Triggers
[01:35:08] - Overreactions and Triggers
[01:36:28] - External and Internal Reactions
[01:37:57] - Roadblocks to Healing
[01:39:32] - Avoidance and Suppression
[01:41:00] - Blame and Excuses
[01:42:28] - Starting the Healing Process
[01:43:50] - Jonah's Story: Running from God
[01:45:20] - The Process of Refinement
[01:46:45] - Practical Steps for Healing
[01:48:03] - Being Honest with God
[01:49:22] - Seeking Wise Counsel
[01:50:44] - Serving Others
[01:52:01] - Holding on to God's Promises
[01:53:23] - Accepting the Process
[01:54:45] - Personal Testimony: Returning to New Zealand
[01:56:15] - Experiencing God's Compassion
[01:57:44] - Call to Action: Start the Process
[02:00:07] - Prayer and Altar Call
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Philippians 1:6 - "I pray with great faith for you, because I’m fully convinced that the one who began this gracious work in you will faithfully continue the process of maturing you until the unveiling of our Lord Jesus Christ."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Philippians 1:6 say about God's commitment to our spiritual growth?
2. According to the sermon, what are some of the emotional wounds that can affect our thoughts, feelings, and decisions? [01:27:45]
3. How does the story of Jonah illustrate the process of healing and refinement? [01:43:50]
4. What practical steps for healing were mentioned in the sermon? [01:48:03]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding God's commitment to our maturity (Philippians 1:6) change the way we view our personal struggles and emotional wounds?
2. Why is it important to face our emotional wounds instead of avoiding or suppressing them? [01:27:45]
3. In what ways can the process of healing be compared to Jonah's time in the belly of the whale? [01:45:20]
4. How can seeking wise counsel and serving others contribute to our healing process? [01:49:22]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God was working on maturing you. How did you respond to His process? [01:26:06]
2. Are there any emotional wounds in your life that you have been avoiding? What steps can you take to start addressing them? [01:27:45]
3. How can you be more honest with God and others about your pain and struggles? What might that look like in your daily life? [01:48:03]
4. Identify a person or a group you can serve this week. How might serving others help you in your own healing journey? [01:50:44]
5. Think about a promise from God that you can hold on to during difficult times. How can this promise provide you with strength and hope? [01:52:01]
6. Have you ever experienced a "storm" in your life that you believe was sent by God to wake you up? How did you respond, and what did you learn from it? [01:57:44]
7. What are some practical ways you can start the healing process today? How can you ensure that you stay committed to this process? [01:57:44]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Commitment to Our Maturity
Description: God is deeply committed to our growth and maturity, both emotionally and spiritually. This process involves addressing and healing our emotional wounds, which can significantly influence our thoughts, feelings, and decisions. By allowing God to heal these wounds, we can become more Christ-like and live in the present with a vision for the future. This journey of maturity is not instantaneous but a continuous process where God works on developing our character, gifts, and emotional maturity. It is a testament to His unwavering commitment to us, ensuring that we are being transformed into the image of Christ until His return. [01:26:06]
Philippians 1:6 (ESV): "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."
Reflection: What are some areas in your life where you feel God is working on your maturity? How can you cooperate with Him in this process today?
Day 2: Facing Emotional Wounds
Description: Emotional wounds often result from negative experiences such as loss, rejection, betrayal, or abuse, and can lead to issues like anxiety, depression, and insecurity. These wounds need to be addressed rather than avoided or suppressed. God desires to heal our broken hearts and bind our wounds, but this requires us to stop running from our pain and turn to Him. Facing these wounds is a crucial step in the healing process, as it allows God to work deeply within us, bringing about true restoration and wholeness. [01:27:45]
Psalm 147:3 (ESV): "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."
Reflection: Think of a specific emotional wound you have been avoiding. How can you bring this pain to God today and begin the process of healing?
Day 3: The Importance of the Healing Process
Description: The process of healing is often challenging and can be likened to Jonah's time in the belly of the whale—dark, cold, and uncomfortable. However, it is in this process that God refines us, restores our hearts, and establishes our identity. We must trust that God's ways are above our ways and that His process is the best path for our complete healing. This journey may not look the way we expect, but it is always the best path for our complete healing. God is not interested in half-healings; He desires to make us whole. [01:45:20]
Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt like you were in a "belly of the whale" situation. How did God use that time to refine and restore you?
Day 4: Practical Steps for Healing
Description: Practical steps for walking through the healing process include being honest with God and others, identifying the root causes of our emotional wounds, seeking wise counsel, serving others, and holding on to God's promises. These steps help us to stop avoiding, suppressing, or blaming others for our pain and instead turn to God for healing. By taking these steps, we actively participate in the healing process, allowing God to work in and through us to bring about complete restoration. [01:48:03]
James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to address an emotional wound? How can you seek wise counsel or serve others in this process?
Day 5: God's Faithfulness and Compassion
Description: Throughout the healing process, we can experience God's faithfulness and compassion. He is a God who weeps with us in our pain, extends grace, and never gives up on us. By trusting in His faithfulness and compassion, we can find the strength to continue the healing process and become whole. God's commitment to our healing is unwavering, and His compassion is a source of comfort and strength as we navigate the challenges of emotional restoration. [01:56:15]
Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV): "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
Reflection: How have you experienced God's faithfulness and compassion in your life? How can this encourage you to trust Him more deeply in your healing journey?
Quotes
1. "Do you know that we're in a daily process where God is developing your character? He is also developing the gifts in your life, and He's maturing you to become more Christ-like. Why? Because God, because there is not, so that there's nothing missing, lacking, broken in your spirit, your soul, or your body, because He wants you to be transformed from the inside out to become more like the person that God has called you to be." [01:25:15] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "So the question I have for all of you today, will you finally, finally make a decision to stop running from pain, but instead make a decision to turn and run to the healer of pain, to the God of process? Because do you know that we serve a saviour who's in the business of healing hearts? Because what is his mission? To heal the broken hearted and to bind their wounds." [01:28:30] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "But do you know what? What I also experienced was the miraculous healing power of Jesus Christ in my life. Why? Because I chose to make a decision and stop running from my pain. But instead, I chose to run towards Him, the healer of pain. And I'm telling you today, I am a live testimony because I do not have PTSD. I have no residue of that leftover. Anxiety is not a thorn in my throat. I have no residue of that leftover. I have no residue of that side anymore, that I am totally whole and I am free." [01:31:00] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "And what happens is your heart hardens. And then it's so hard to receive love because you've got all these barriers and people want to love you. And God wants to love you, but you can't let them in. And then you can't give love. And you really struggle in this area. But you see is that God doesn't want parts of your heart. He wants all of your heart. And this is what happens as we create these roadblocks in our lives that stops us from healing." [01:38:30] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "You need to trust that God's ways are above your ways. And whatever he chooses your process to be, it is the best process to go through to get full healing. Because our God isn't a God that is interested in half healings. He's only interested in completion of healings. So it's in the process. Will you start the process?" [01:53:23] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "I met a God that was slow to anger, that never got angry at me, no matter how many mistakes I made in the process, no matter how many times I slipped up. I met a God that was abounding in love. I've never experienced a love like this before. I've never experienced, this is what I met in the process. I experienced faithfulness like I never had, where He's never left me in the process. He never gave up on me, no matter how many times I gave up on myself." [01:56:15] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "You see, it is time. We are where we are at in this season with God and what God wants to do with this move. We need to start dealing with our stuff. You've got to stop running. God's got you, and we need to start saying yes to the process. It is so important. Will you say yes to the process?" [01:57:44] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "So I want to share with you about some of the stuff I did when I was walking out of my healing journey, and what helped me to get to where I am today with God. Firstly, I said yes to the process. I said yes to healing, no matter what the cost was, no matter what it looked like. Second, what I, first, what I want to say, and then you have to be, make a decision to be honest with God." [01:45:20] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "So I want to just ask if everyone could just stand and close your eyes, please. See, there is freedom. God has freedom with you, for you, and you don't need to be in a prison. But I want to use this time for you to seriously, for each of you, because this isn't just a message for one or two of you. This is for everyone because it's for the church. I want you to honestly use this time to be honest with God, and I want you to ask the Holy Spirit to yourself." [02:00:07] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "And lastly, I want to say is you have to accept the process as it is. Some of us think the process needs to look a certain way. That's comfortable for you. But I'm sorry, it's just not how it works. You see, you have to come to a place of accepting the process on whatever it looks like. Do you think Jonah wanted to be in a whale for three days and three nights? Do you think that would have been his choice of process? No. Do you think he enjoyed it? Probably not. Do you think it was good for him? Absolutely." [01:52:01] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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