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: 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” (Ephesians 3:20 TLB).
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, 8 GNT).
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!” (Habakkuk 2:3 TLB).
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 Peter 1:6-7 PHILLIPS).
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 Corinthians 1:8-9 PHILLIPS).
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” (Psalm 27:13).
Please advise How long it takes from phase 5 to phase 6 ?
Hello Mustafa,
There is not an exact time period between the phases. Keep trusting God as he builds your character and turns dead-ends into deliverance!
We are praying for you.
The Pastors.com team
I love this mesage. When someone told me that they had a bad dream about me sitting in a corner surrounded by people from a certain church, i was a bit spooked but since i know that i have been going through a rough patch and have been praying for a breakthrough and a miracle, i thought this might be the end of the road for me. After reading this passage, i reaise that it couldn’t be worse than what i have already been through. This might symbolise the end of my suffering. I will continue praying for my breakthrough and my blessings to physicaly mainfest since i know that the good Lord has already delivered His promise to me!