Past Principal Points
How God Builds You While You
by Pastor Rick Warren,
Did you know
that God uses a very predictable process to build your character? I call
it the Six Phases of Faith. If you don’t understand the process,
you’ll get discouraged when problems arise. You’ll wonder, “Why is this
happening to me?”
But if you
understand and cooperate with what God is doing - in your life and with your
faith - you'll develop great strength. It's like stretching a muscle to make it
stronger.
PHASE 1:
A DREAM
God
gives you a dream: an idea, goal, or ambition. Every great accomplishment
first begins as a God-given dream in someone’s mind. “God is able to do
far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of - infinitely beyond
our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes.” Eph.
PHASE 2:
DECISION
A dream is worthless until you decide to do
something about it. For every ten dreamers, there’s only one
decision-maker. This is the moment of truth where you decide to invest
your time, money, energy, and reputation - and to let go of security. If
you want to walk on water, you've got to get out of the boat! “You must
believe and not doubt … a double-minded man is unstable in all he does.”
James 1:6 and 8 (GN)
PHASE 3:
DELAY
There is
ALWAYS a time lapse before your dream becomes reality. God uses this
waiting period to teach you to trust Him. Remember: a delay is
not a denial. Maturity is understanding the
difference between “no” and “not yet.”
God says, “These
things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time
approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not
despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single
day!” Hab. 2:3 (LB)
PHASE 4:
DIFFICULTY
Now the problems start popping up. The two most common types:
critics and circumstances. Don’t worry! It’s all a part of God’s
plan. “At the present you may be temporarily harassed by all kinds of
trials. This is no accident - it happens to prove your faith, which is
infinitely more valuable than gold.” 1 Pet. 1:6-7 (Ph)
PHASE 5:
DEAD-END!
Your
situation will deteriorate from difficult to IMPOSSIBLE! You'll find
yourself backed into a corner; you reach the end of your rope. The situation
looks hopeless. Congratulations! You're on the edge of a
miracle. Trust God.
“At that time we
were completely overwhelmed … in fact we told ourselves that this was the
end. Yet, we now believe we had this sense of impending disaster so that
we might learn to trust - not in ourselves - but in God who can raise the
dead.” 2 Cor. 1:8-9 (Ph)
PHASE 6:
DELIVERANCE!
God
provides a supernatural answer. Miraculously, things fall into
place! God loves to turn crucifixions into resurrections so you can see
His greatness. “I expect the Lord to deliver me once again so I will see
his goodness to me ….” Ps. 27:13