“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith." ~ Hebrews 12:1-2

Life is congested with an array of challenges, from navigating financial hardships and family disputes to managing health concerns and work-related stress. At times, these challenges can feel overwhelmingly burdensome. Christians, I know how to solve our problems—the answer is clear.

Fix your eyes on Jesus and follow Him—problem solved!

I know it's not as easy as that, but sometimes, many Christians fail to understand that our problems are only resolved through our sanctification walk with Jesus. The Christian sanctification process refers to the ongoing journey of becoming more like Christ in thought, word, and deed. It involves the transformation of the believer's character and behavior to reflect the image of Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit. The process of sanctification begins at the moment of salvation and continues throughout the believer's lifetime.

Aspects of the sanctification process include:

Justification: This is the initial act of God whereby He declares the believer righteous through faith in Jesus Christ. It is the foundation of sanctification, as it sets believers apart as holy in God's sight.
Renewal of the Mind: This process involves aligning one's thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs with God's truth.
Empowerment by the Holy Spirit: Through the Spirit's guidance, believers can overcome sin, grow in spiritual maturity, and exhibit the fruit of the Spirit.
Holiness: Sanctification leads to holiness, which involves living a life set apart for God's purposes. It encompasses obedience to God's commands, moral purity, and a commitment to righteousness.
Cooperation with God: While sanctification is ultimately the work of God, believers actively participate in the process by submitting to God's will, obeying His commands, and yielding to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Final Perfection: The process of sanctification will culminate in the believer's ultimate glorification, where they will be made holy and conformed to the image of Christ in eternity.

You can see the value in sanctification and how if we become Christ-like our problems are solved. At least our problems now become something we can overcome. I believe most Christians understand the sanctification process but perhaps are unsure how it practically works, at least in a way you can get the most out of it.

Remember, we live in a fallen world where suffering is inevitable. This suffering stems from our decision to live apart from God. However, our purpose in this life isn't to avoid hardship but to cultivate a relationship with Jesus, enabling us to overcome the challenges of this fallen world. The ultimate goal isn't to fix our problems but to fix our eyes on Jesus. When we focus on Him—both the trials and triumphs of life lose their grip on us, as His presence becomes our source of strength and perspective.

I've previously mentioned that as Christians, we are akin to soldiers engaged in a spiritual battle. It's through living out this reality that we find resolve to our problems.

What does this look like? Good question.

The soldier must be surrendered and committed to God.

The soldier must continually learn and grow through God's Word, discipleship, and the command post that is the church.

The soldier goes out into the world and bears the fruit of Christ. Every moment in the Christian life is a moment to show faith or faithlessness. When the soldier falters in faith, he needs to acknowledge his shortcomings and seek strength from Christ. This process involves prayer, diving into His word, honest self-reflection, transparency, and patience as he waits for God's timing.

The entire point is that in this process, God is making us like the most victorious soldier of all, Jesus Christ. As we become Christ-like, we become a blessing to ourselves, those around us, and the world.

The issue arises when Christians fail to engage in the spiritual battle. For various reasons, they hesitate to step into the world as beacons of light, neglecting their role as soldiers. By shying away from this duty, they overlook their true identity and reliance on Christ. A Christian who avoids the battlefield will inevitably turn inward, focusing solely on personal struggles and desires.

Your problems—are resolved in the spiritual battle God has called us to fight. If you're not actively participating in this spiritual battle as a soldier, your faith is prone to falter.

If Jesus is engaging in a battle, we must stand alongside Him!