Experience: Understanding How God Works in Our Lives Through Personal Journey

First-hand knowledge of God's work in our lives shapes our faith and testimony. Each believer embarks on a unique spiritual journey, marked by distinct experiences before salvation, at the moment of conversion, and throughout the ongoing walk with Christ. While our stories differ, common threads weave through every genuine Christian experience – the recognition of our lostness, the conviction of the Holy Spirit, the surrender to Jesus as Lord, and the progressive outworking of His life within us.

The Nature of Christian Experience

We all have our own unique experience prior to salvation, of coming to Christ, and the subsequent Christian walk. Genuine salvation starts with a heart 'moment' that continues as a vital unending relationship with Jesus, resulting in total life transformation, not just head knowledge (2 Cor 5:17; Phil 1:6). It's only as we truly experience Him that we can make a valid recommendation to others (Ps 34:8; Mk 5:19). Throughout life observe and learn from the good and bad experiences of others – what to do, what not to do, how and when. Keeping a journal, mentoring, and accountability assist in this. Meditate much in the Bible especially Proverbs: "Do not let what I say out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body" (Josh 1:8; Ps 1:1-6; Prov 4:20-22).

The Purpose of Experience

Pass on to others sound advice, guidance and how God has led you for we all have a testimony (Ex 10:2; Deut 6:20-22). Our claim of being a Christian is proved genuine and effective as it is outworked in daily life, through the love of God and fruit of the Holy Spirit as we are confident God is in control (Rom 8:28; Gal 5:22-23; Phil 1:12; 1 Pet 1:6-7).

While experiences of the past affect our decisions today, they are not to dictate our response. Confront and deal with areas that prevent you entering more fully into what God has for you. The hard times in our lives make us better and stronger Christians if we respond with the right attitude, and we can learn more by losing than winning. Don't allow the experiences of life to be wasted events. Why be content to live so far below God's expectations and our privilege as His children?

Experiences help shape who we become

However, do not seek spiritual experiences for themselves, as they are but a manifestation that point to Jesus. Having a greater awareness and love relationship with Him should be our highest goal rather than any sign or physical expression that would draw attention to us and away from the Lord. Christianity is not about feelings and experiences – it is about being born again, having a deepening relationship with the Lord, reaching the lost and developing Godly character as we make Jesus Lord of all (Act 4:13, 17:6).

Experience vs Scripture

Just because our experience doesn't match those in His Word, or the results spoken of, don't stop pursuing or engaging in it – be it praying for the sick or praying for the lost or any other God directed activity for we are to "Do what the Word says" (Mk 16:15-18; Jas 1:22). We are to faithfully do what He has told us and leave the outcome to Him. Do not bring God and His Word down to what we experience, rather use the Bible's standard by which our lives and results should be measured and aspired to. It is generally healthy to experiment with doing things in different ways, except we are not to experiment with sin or evil practices.

When engaging with Scripture, we face two opposing dangers: first, going beyond what it actually teaches by elevating human traditions and church teachings above biblical truth. Second, settling for less than what Scripture offers by interpreting God's Word solely through the lens of our limited experiences. Our faith is not dependent on skewed, particular or questionable experiences but the consistent truth of God's Word. It is to be the standard and umpire, not the fickle and random happenings of life. What He requires is our loving faithful obedience (Jn 14:15).

Living in Victory

Don't just be content with a mental or theoretical understanding of God but allow Him to work out in and through you 'His good pleasure' (Phil 2:13; 2 Thes 1:11). "The people who know their God [humbly yet confidently understand their position of authority] will firmly resist Satan" (Dan 11:32). John's commendation was "the Word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one" (1 Jn 2:13-14).

Don't be satisfied with the theory, reach for reality

Responding to Failure and Challenges

Our response to failure and the challenges of life plays a crucial role in developing godly character and enlarging our experience of God's faithfulness. How we handle adversity reveals the true state of our heart and faith. The apostle James reminds us that we should "consider it pure joy" when we face trials of many kinds, because the testing of our faith produces perseverance and maturity (Jas 1:2-4). These difficult seasons are not meaningless obstacles but divine opportunities for spiritual growth and character development.

When we encounter failure, disappointment, or hardship, our instinctive response often includes frustration, self-pity, or blame. However, God calls us to respond differently – with trust, humility, and a willingness to learn. The Bible is filled with examples of godly men and women who faced significant failures and challenges: Abraham's moments of doubt and fear, Moses' struggle with anger and impatience, David's moral failure with Bathsheba, and Peter's denial of Jesus. Each experienced the consequences of their choices, but more importantly, they experienced God's grace, restoration, and transformative work in their lives.

It is through overcoming difficulties that we develop resilience, patience, humility, compassion for others who struggle, and a deeper dependence on God. The apostle Paul learned this profound truth: "We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope" (Rom 5:3-4). This perspective transforms how we view our challenges – not as evidence of God's absence or punishment, but as tools in His hands to shape us into the likeness of Christ.

Character is forged in the crucible of adversity

Developing character through challenges requires intentional choices. We must choose to trust God's goodness even when circumstances are difficult, to submit to His refining process rather than resisting it, and to seek His perspective on our situation. This means bringing our failures and disappointments to God honestly, repenting where necessary, and allowing Him to teach us through them. The prophet Isaiah assures us that God gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak – those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength and soar on wings like eagles (Isa 40:29-31). Moreover, our response to failure should include extending grace to ourselves and others. Just as God forgives us and uses imperfect people, we must learn to forgive ourselves and recognize that failure does not disqualify us from God's purpose. The story of the prodigal son illustrates this beautifully – even after squandering his inheritance, the father welcomed him home with open arms and restored his sonship (Lk 15:11-32). God's grace is greater than our failures, and His plans are not thwarted by our mistakes. When we face challenges with faith and perseverance, we become living testimonies of God's sustaining grace.

Entering into Victory

Has your personal history and spiritual experience been one of defeat and shame? With God's help, you can change from being overcome by Satan to being an over-comer, from being crushed by the power of sin to being a conqueror, from knowing the theory to living in the reality of the power of God. Determine to enter into the victory that Jesus died to provide. Making every effort to grow in your knowledge of God and the resources available, and through obedience to the Holy Spirit apply this to your everyday life (2 Pet 3:18).

Jesus experienced temptations so He could relate to us, yet He did not yield to the pressure to sin (Mt 4:1-10; Heb 2:18, 4:15). He died not just to get us to heaven; He conquered Satan on our behalf so that we might walk in victory – the reality of what His blood accomplished – and bring His Kingdom into reality in the lives of others too (1 Jn 3:8). "They overcame Satan by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony" (Rev 12:11). Enter into more of what Jesus died to provide for you.

It's as we experience God our faith grows. Unless we are being transformed continually into the likeness of Christ, we are not allowing the truth and His potential to be outworked in our lives – this should extend beyond what happens to us, to what we do with what happens to us. The victory that Christ gained for us on the cross needs to be demonstrated in our experience as we say 'no' to the carnal flesh and 'yes' to Him. God sees us as righteous through the blood of Christ; it is our responsibility to make this a reality experientially. It is as we know and outwork the truth in our daily lives we are set free from the negative influences of the old life and move into what Jesus died for to provide for us as heirs of eternal life (Jn 8:32,36; Rom 8:2).

Become living proof Jesus changes lives

Leave the defeat and limitations of the past behind, steadily coming into glorious liberty in Christ. Many people set themselves up for defeat through self-fulfilling prophecies, 'I feel a cold coming on…life is difficult…the kids are so unruly and disobedient…' These may be true but don't speak them out, rather bring these matters to God in prayer and claim His help and intervention. By accentuating the uplifting, positive things while reducing or eliminating the negative, energy-sapping comments a change will come in your outlook on life. So focus on and speak of the victories that are yours in Christ. Our encounter with Jesus should be getting richer each day – expectantly pray, look for and thank Him for His involvement in your life, continually reaching higher levels of intimacy and usefulness. Be thirsty for Him. Don't go to the dry wells of the world, instead "Whoever is thirsty, let him come and take the free gift of the water of life" (Isa 55:1-2; Jer 2:13; Jn 4:4-14; Rev 22:17).

Reflection and Application:

Am I walking in increasing wholeness and liberation from the power of sin?
How can I better learn from both positive and negative experiences in my spiritual journey?
In what ways am I allowing experiences to limit what God wants to do in my life today?
Am I seeking God Himself or just spiritual experiences? What adjustments do I need to make?