II Corinthians 4:16-17 encourages us to not lose heart or become discouraged even though our outer man is decaying, our inner man is being renewed each day. It’s a daily “process” in which light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison.
God seems to transform and bring healing to us in at least two distinct ways; an instantaneous miracle, or through a process of peeling back multiple layers of spiritual, emotional, and psychological walls, often compared to “peeling an onion.” This latter process usually occurs over extended periods of time often requiring years or even a lifetime to accomplish.
In my experience with counseling those struggling with sexual addictions and sexual sins, transforming healing and freedom occurs during a process over time. I’ve also observed this “healing process” with drug addictions as well. During the process there are often “slip-ups” where the person who has resolved never to go back, never to “use” again, returns to use the drug or view the pornography once more.
While we know that God has the power to instantly heal and bring recovery, I believe he uses this restorative process over time to vividly demonstrate the destructive, deadly, consequences that sin brings not only to the individual but to family and friends surrounding the person. It helps one to realize the “awfulness” of the sin which drives us to our knees in daily submission and supplication to our Father for help. The process also reveals to us the magnificence and depth of His grace when we are totally and completely dependent on God for deliverance. Remember God spoke to Paul about his struggles and said “my grace is sufficient.” God did not instantly bring healing or restoration to Paul regarding the “thorn in the flesh.” I believe he wanted to use this opportunity to demonstrate his grace and power in Paul’s life.
The story of Joseph in Genesis perfectly describes a healing process. God could have instantly taken revenge on the brothers who tried to kill Joseph. He could have made Joseph ruler in Egypt at any time. But he didn’t. We’re provided a narrative that tells of how Joseph was left for dead, slandered, accused of rape, and imprisoned before being placed in authority to save his family. It was a process. All the evil that was hoisted upon Joseph, God turned it around and made something beautiful and good that saved his entire family from death.
Genesis 50:20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
Look at the process that God took Abraham and Sara through. Why didn’t God just give them a son during their youthful years? Why did he wait 100 years before giving them a child? It was through this extended period of time that Abraham proved his faith and God demonstrated his powerful hand to accomplish what he promised he would.
I believe God can take the evil that haunts and seeks to destroy our lives and make something good from it. Addictive behaviors are always the tip of the iceberg. It’s what we observe from the outside. God wants to uncover the often hidden root causes, the emotional and psychological wounds, unforgiveness, anger, self reliance and pride, that support and give way to the addictive behaviors. True restoration, freedom and healing from these types of wounds will take time to explore and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal new insights within our hearts which will bring lasting transformation.
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