Why Does It Take Me So Long to Change?
Even When You Believe in a Miracle-Working God, Lasting Transformation Takes Time
I want to be more like Jesus. I want to know God deeply, show His love consistently, have strong faith, and live a holy life. But even though I’m sincere, most of the time, making biblical changes in my life feels much slower than I’d like.
Jesus performed many instant miracles. He raised the dead, healed the blind, and turned water into wine—BIG things that happened in an instant. If He can do those things instantly, why doesn’t He just do some of those in me?
Jesus Also Likes Slow Processes
Jesus did indeed perform many quick miracles, but He made it clear that such instantaneous changes were not the norm for God's kingdom. He often described growth as a slow, gradual process. Jesus said the kingdom of God is like a seed growing slowly, not a lightning bolt (Mark 4:26-27).
Paul compared spiritual growth to the hard work of soldiers in battle, athletes in training, and farmers tending to their crops (2 Timothy 2:3-6). All of these metaphors point to long-term, gradual growth.
It’s been said that most “overnight successes” spent years getting to that point. And it hit me one day:
God Loves the Process, Not Just the End Result
This realization was a game-changer for me. I was frustrated by my lack of progress. Why wasn’t I more loving like Jesus? Why did I still feel selfish, impatient, and irritated with people’s behavior? Despite my prayers, I felt far from perfect.
But then I realized something. Even when God created the world, He didn’t create everything in an instant. He made Eden, placed Adam and Eve there, and told them to “multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it” (Genesis 1:26-28). God could have created everything at once, but instead, He set up a process of growth and development.
This is part of God's design. He could have created a perfect, completed world right away, but He took pleasure in the process, watching us grow, learn, and share in His mission.
Spiritual Growth Takes Time
When we accept Jesus, our spirits are made new—holy, righteous, and perfect. However, our minds, emotions, and decision-making processes need a lot of work. The slow process of growth, learning, persistence, and failure is by design. God values the process, not just the end result.
Before His crucifixion, Jesus told Peter, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:31-32).
Jesus knew Peter would deny Him three times, yet He allowed Satan to “sift” Peter. He knew the painful experience would lead to long-term growth, helping Peter develop humility and dependence on God. After this transformation, Peter would be used powerfully by God.
Maturity Cannot Come Instantly (at Least on Earth)
While we know God can do miracles instantly, He has limited Himself to follow His nature and His word. God repeatedly shows that spiritual and personal transformation is a gradual process, going from “glory to glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18) and “faith to faith” (Romans 1:17).
1 John 3 tells us that when we see Jesus at His return, we will be transformed into His likeness. But in this life, God has set things up so that becoming more like Jesus is a longer journey requiring humility, perseverance, and learning.
My goal is to help busy believers experience God more deeply, grow consistently—both spiritually and personally—and confidently live out their unique purpose.
