Romans 5:2-4 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

When you were a child you experienced growing pains. It is not all that much different with this spiritual life in Christ. Some things are given, like grace, unearned, not painful, and always present in all conditions. Then there are the developed traits which on the surface are painful but needed for growth. Which are the grace traits of God and which are the devopmental traits?

If I told you, would you avoid the pain? Did heartbreak stop you from falling in love? Avoiding pain will only delay the inevitable but now that you are a child of God, grace will allow you to endure knowing that on the other side of pain is glory to God.

2 Thessalonians 1:4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:

Here once again I stop short of tell you all of the truth but only enough to absorb some until you are ready to learn more. If during the course of these studies on growth in Christ you believe you are ready for more, by all means study for yourself. If you discover discomfort in that which you read, seek trusted counselors, teachers, pastors, who will administer a healing balm to your soul.

The comparison of reading the word of God to digestion, e.g. milk, herbs, strong meat, is given with purpose because moving on to strong meats before your digestive system is ready will cause you pain. No one likes to eat that which is painful. All the Word is good for you, but grow according to His plan for you.

Ephesians 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

The classic example here is the new kid in school. I grew up in one town, never moved and never had to figure out how to fit in to a new school. I didn’t know how that felt. When I began going to church I found out and I didn’t much care for the experience. I wanted to fit in but I didn’t know how.

Fitting in at a new church should not be the same as in a school setting by trying to pick and choose who you like. You are called to love everyone and that is no easy matter. Here within a church body where you fit in is determined by the body itself. All you have to do is be real, let them get to know the real you and over time they will discover what God is doing in you that meets the needs of the body.

Within any church body there will be those with spiritual discernment and they will tell you what they see in you. You might not see it yourself if you have not yet developed spiritual discernment. They will help you identify your gifts, talents and find a place for you to grow into that place where you are “fitly joined”. You will be surrounded by those who recognized your place in the puzzle and call you to “sit here”.

My gifts were not developed apart from the body of Christ but rather within the body. The key to fitting in is being real and accepting. As you grow in Christ they will recognize those changes even before you do, if you are being real.