Growth takes time. It isn't an overnight process. So, don't be discouraged when it appears as though you haven't made progress in the areas that you have been seeking growth in. The seed you sowed yesterday will not become a tree today. Neither will it become a tree in two weeks time. But you can be sure of one thing, that if you planted that seed in the right environment and have been watering it regularly, it has surely grown and will continue to grow. It may not yet appear like anything has changed, but if you persist at doing what is required for growth, the results will soon appear.
So, in respect to the words above, learn to be patient with yourself and with other people. Give yourself and others time to grow. If you and they are doing what is required for growth, then you and they are definitely growing; the results will show soon. Even now, if you have desired growth in certain areas of your life and have been taking the necessary actions required for growth, evaluate your life carefully and you will find that you have grown and made some progress. Don't undermine the growth if it appears small; celebrate it and thank God for it. When you appreciate the small things, God will find it fit to help you to appreciate the bigger things—He will bless you with more. By appreciating and recognising God in your growth and progress, you invite and encourage Him to help you more and do more for you. This is a spiritual principle that the Lord Jesus revealed. Let me show you how it works.
There were ten lepers that came to the Lord Jesus, asking Him to heal them. The Lord Jesus told them to go their way and show themselves to the priest. On their way to the priest, they realised that they had been healed. One of the ten that were healed, upon realising that he had been healed, turned back, shouting and praising God, and went to find the Lord Jesus to thank Him. When he thanked Him for what had happened, the Lord Jesus' response was very striking and informative; He said: "...Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger...Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole." (Luke 17:17-19 KJV). This is wonderful! The other nine were healed, but this man, because he recognised and appreciated God for this good thing that had happened, was made whole—God gave him an even greater thing than what he had; his life was made whole (complete). Glory to God! No wonder the Bible tells us to give God thanks always in all things (Ephesians 5:20). There's so much to be grateful for.
In your life, learn to be grateful to God and to those who do good things for you. You will find that there will be greater manifestations of the blessings of God in your life. You will find that God even enhances your growth and progress!
by Arthur Ncube