I have been counseling for 25 years.   I have met with a lot of suffering and struggling people over the years.  Some are suffering because of the actions of others, many are suffering because of their own sin and choices. We all have seasons of trial. It is part of the human experience.
I wish I could say that with a snap of the fingers, a sincere prayer, or sheer determination that we experience instantaneous relief.  Can it happen in a moment?  Sure. God can bring healing and wholeness in whatever fashion He deems appropriate. But generally speaking change happens little by little.

I will not drive them out from before you in one year, lest the land become desolate and the beasts of the field become too numerous for you. Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased, and you inherit the land.   Exodus 23:29-30 (underlining mine)

And the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you little by little; you will be unable to destroy them at once, lest the beasts of the field become too numerous for you. Deuteronomy 7:22 (underlining mine)

Do you get discouraged because positive growth and change seem to happen ever so slowly?  I know at times I can feel that nothing is happening. Just because we cannot see change happening doesn’t mean it is not happening.

You notice God has a reason He drove out the enemy nations little by little because the Israelites could not possess the land too quickly (lest the land become desolate and the beasts of the field become too numerous for you).  In other words, God’s timing is to overthrow the enemy at the same rate that He grows their possession of the land.

We want to wake up one morning and TA …DA be changed, but that is not God’s typical approach.  I believe God wants to grow us at the rate that we are ready to receive.

There is value in the process.  To wake up one morning changed sounds wonderful but what will we have learned along the way?

With patience and perseverance, little by little God does His work in our life.  With patience and perseverance, little by little we will be changed. To God be the glory.

Blessings, Diane

Diane Hunt served for 16 years on the staff of America’s Keswick until recently when she and her husband relocated to North Carolina. She now continues serving as a contributing writer and Partner Care consultant. Diane is also a Biblical Counselor, speaker, teacher, and author. She delights in the opportunities she has as a women’s conference and retreat speaker to share from God’s word.  Many of her illustrations are drawn from her relational experiences as a wife, mother, and mema. They are the very relationships that bring her the greatest joy and the most fun!