“But I will not drive them out in a single year, because the land would become desolate and the wild animals too numerous for you. Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession of the land.” Exodus 23:29-30 NIV
I have been seeking God for the healing of my soul wounds for a long time. Now after 57 years, I finally feel like I am making progress. I haven’t arrived, but as Joyce Meyer says, at least I have left. As I was going through the process, I felt as if I’d never be made whole. It seems like it was taking an eternity! Have you ever wondered why emotional healing seems to take so long to manifest? I asked God about this, and He sent me to Exodus 23:29-30 NIV which reads: “But I will not drive them out in a single year, because the land would become desolate and the wild animals too numerous for you. Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession of the land.” How can we apply this passage to our lives if we want to become emotionally whole? RECOGNIZE GOD HAS A REASON FOR THE SLOW PACE When I reflected on the passage above, I perceived that the wild animals symbolize the things in our lives that will crop up and overrun our relationship with God (e.g., pride and self-sufficiency). If He heals us too fast, our relationship with Him will be adversely affected. You see, God knows us better than we know ourselves. He has the foresight to know how we are going to respond. That is why He heals us incrementally while He builds a relationship with us to the point where He knows that we will unconditionally love Him and refuse to forsake Him no matter what. Therefore, during the healing process, He is solidifying the relationship and knitting our hearts together with His own. As our issues are decreasing, our bond with Him is increasing, and an inversely proportional relationship between the two exists. ASK FOR GOD’S HELP TO DRIVE OUT EMOTIONAL ISSUES God said He would drive out the inhabitants of the land. Likewise, we have to ask for God’s help in driving out the issues that plague our souls. I remember back in the day, July 2, 1982, I made a written contract with myself regarding all the ways I was going to change. I had not prayed. I had not asked for the Holy Spirit’s help. It was all about what I was going to do. That’s probably why it took so long for me to change. Eventually, I recognized my folly and sought the Lord’s help. When we ask for His help, we must also remember to totally depend on the Holy Spirit, the Agent of Change, to do the work in us. Do only what He directs you to do, and leave the rest up to Him. REFUSE TO GIVE UP Because of the slowness of the process, it’s natural for us to feel as if we will never make it out of the wilderness. But at some point, God says you will have increased enough to possess the land that He has for you: emotional wholeness. Therefore, keep pressing on and pressing into God. Be determined that you will not give up, and by His grace, you will inherit your promised land. Our Father will make all things beautiful in His time (Eccl. 3:11).
Tracey L. Moore (a.k.a. The Purposeful Poet) is a poet, author and speaker whose goal is to challenge you to be your best for Christ. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Christian Counseling from Oral Roberts University and is an Associate Minister at Chesapeake Christian Center in Chesapeake, Virginia.
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