There Is No Shortcut
Over the past few years, I’ve met so many new believers as the world continues along what I can only describe as a prophetic trajectory. For those unfamiliar with that language, I’m referring to the Bible and what it says about the last days. There are many ways people try to explain what’s happening in the world right now, but Scripture is very clear—things will grow darker. People will become more selfish, and what is evil will be called good, and what is good will be called evil. And here we are.
Honestly, I never thought I would see things escalate to this level in my lifetime—but I’m here for it. There’s actually a deep peace in knowing that God told us beforehand so we wouldn’t be afraid. Instead of being anxious, we are invited to draw closer to Him as He continues to unfold His truth. I find so much joy in reading His Word daily, learning, and not being caught off guard by what’s happening.
In this blog, I want to encourage those who are newer in their faith. When you first decide to follow Jesus, it can feel confusing. There’s more to this journey than you may realize at the start—but trust this: He will never leave you. He leads you step by step.
That said, it won’t always be easy.
There will be hard seasons. You may lose friendships, and even relationships with family members may change. Not everyone is ready to receive the truth of God’s Word. Some people will twist Scripture to justify how they want to live—I know this because I used to do it myself before I truly understood.
But God, in His mercy, doesn’t leave us there. Little by little, He reveals truth to us. He invites us to follow Him more deeply, and at times, He disciplines us so we can understand the weight and truth of His Word. Every time He speaks, it’s an invitation to go deeper.
Don’t be afraid of that.
This journey is deeply personal between you and God. While others may walk alongside you at different points, there will be moments where your love for Him is tested. That’s the core of it all—loving God above everything else. At the end of the day, He is the One we answer to, so it’s vital that we align our priorities accordingly.
So, stay rooted in His Word. Read it whenever you can—you will need it. The more you read, the more it will reveal what’s happening in your own heart, in the spiritual realm, and in the world around you. Will you understand everything? No. But the closer you grow to the One who does, the more He will reveal—and with that comes a peace and joy that you will need, especially as the days grow more intense.
This leads into something so important: the journey of sanctification.
In many ways, sanctification becomes a new lifestyle. It’s a process of healing from what we once thought was normal in this world. It’s God restoring us back to His original design—to live in alignment with Him and in true harmony with others. It is, in my opinion, the most complete and holistic healing journey a person can experience.
You may be surprised—just as I have been—by the things God asks you to let go of, and the ways your life begins to change. When I look back at how I lived 10 years ago compared to now, the difference is profound. Some of that is natural growth, yes—but much of it is God refining my life.
In a world overflowing with information and opinions, we need discernment more than ever. There are things being promoted as “normal” or even “good” that, deep down, you can sense are off. This isn’t about opinions—it’s about truth. It’s about aligning our lives with God’s Word and allowing Him to shape us through real, lived experience.
There will be challenges. There will be resistance. At times, there may even be persecution. This journey isn’t temporary—sanctification is lifelong. But the benefits go far beyond what we can fully put into words. Yes, there is the promise of eternity with God—but there is also transformation, freedom, and deep, abiding peace here and now.
We are saved by faith in Jesus—but we are also called to walk with Him daily after we say yes. It’s a relationship. In fact, it’s the most important relationship you will ever have.
Like any relationship, it requires closeness, consistency, and intimacy. No marriage thrives without intentional time together—and the same is true here.
This is the first covenant. The foundation for everything else.
So it is as we walk in the process of sanctification we realize it is not a moment—it’s a process, a relationship of unperfected us trying to relate and be in relationship with a perfect partner, God, Master, Husband, Teacher, Creator, Boss… you get the point. We realize quickly that we don’t really measure up. So He helps us, first by showing us things not so good in us and so it starts. A refining. A continual unfolding of truth where God, in His mercy, reveals what needs to change, layer by layer. And the reality is this: there is no escape from the process if you truly desire to walk with Him. You can delay it, resist it, or ignore it for a time—but if you belong to Him, He will faithfully bring you through it.
The Bible makes this clear:
“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 1:6
God doesn’t start something He doesn’t intend to finish.
It Starts With hearing what He wants you to do, this can be a nudge of conscience, reading The Word or a deep knowing ( Backed by The Word)—But It Doesn’t End There
For many, sanctification begins with a major, visible change. Maybe it’s quitting drinking, walking away from destructive habits, or choosing a different lifestyle altogether. And while that step is powerful, it’s only the beginning.
When I first started, it felt like a steep shift into what I thought was a “healthy” life. But I quickly realized something important:
Just because you stop one harmful behavior doesn’t mean you are fully living in health.
You quit drinking—but then you realize your diet is still harming your body.
You clean up your eating—but then you notice your thoughts are still negative, anxious, or prideful.
You begin renewing your mind—but then your reactions, your words, your heart posture get exposed.
Sanctification is comprehensive. God is not just after behavior—He is after transformation.
“Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.” — Hebrews 12:1
Notice it doesn’t just say sin—it says everything that hinders.
God Reveals in Layers
One of the most humbling parts of this journey is realizing that God doesn’t show you everything at once. If He did, it would overwhelm you. Instead, He reveals things in seasons.
You deal with one area, grow through it, and then He gently puts His finger on something deeper.
It might look like:
- First, your habits
- Then, your health
- Then, your thought life
- Then, your words
- Then, your motives
Each layer brings you closer to who He created you to be.
“Search me, God, and know my heart… See if there is any offensive way in me.” — Psalm 139:23–24
Sanctification requires a willing heart that invites God to search deeper.
The Renewal of the Mind Is Key
At some point, the process shifts from external change to internal transformation. You realize that true freedom isn’t just about what you do—it’s about how you think.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” — Romans 12:2
This is where many people get stuck. It’s easier to change actions than it is to surrender thoughts. But God will not stop at surface-level change—He wants truth rooted deep within you.
There Is No Escaping It—Only Walking Through It
If you try to avoid the process, you’ll often find yourself going in circles—facing the same struggles, the same convictions, the same nudges from the Holy Spirit.
That’s not punishment. That’s love.
God is committed to your freedom and I am a witness who has made many mistake, yet He keeps guiding, teaching and restoring and taking me deeper yet by His mercy and grace. Although I have been knocked down plenty, He keeps helping me get back up.
“For the Lord disciplines the one He loves.” — Hebrews 12:6
“For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity” – Proverbs 24: 16-18
Sanctification can feel uncomfortable because it stretches you, corrects you, and calls you higher. But it is always leading you into greater peace, clarity, and alignment with God.
From Behavior Modification to Heart Transformation
What begins as “I need to stop doing this” eventually becomes:
- “Why do I think this way?”
- “Why do I react like this?”
- “What is rooted in my heart?”
This is where real change happens.
God doesn’t just want you sober—He wants you whole.
Not just disciplined—but transformed.
Not just outwardly “good”—but inwardly renewed.
The Beauty of the Process
Even though sanctification is challenging, it is also deeply beautiful. It means God is actively working in you. It means He hasn’t left you where you were.
Every conviction is an invitation.
Every correction is refinement.
Every step forward is grace in motion.
“And we all… are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory.” — 2 Corinthians 3:18
Final Thought
You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to be willing to walk with God through each stage.
Say yes when He highlights something.
Surrender when He asks you to let go.
Trust Him when it feels uncomfortable.
Because sanctification isn’t about perfection—it’s about becoming.
And He is faithful to complete what He started.
If you feel you need help to understand or someone to come along and talk you through some of these things, feel free to reach out for coaching.
-God Bless