by Christian International | May 7, 2025 | Articles
You may feel stuck… but what if this is actually growth?
When I was a child, I struggled in school. My two older brothers made straight A’s, but I had a hard time. Reading and comprehension didn’t come easily. It wasn’t until my sophomore year of high school that I was diagnosed with dyslexia. By then, I had already figured out how to get by—and with God’s grace, I graduated.
Because academics didn’t come naturally, I leaned into relationships and social skills. I remember a vivid moment in Bible college. My brother Tom, his girlfriend Jane (now wife), and I all studied hard for a test. We knew the material. But when the grades came back, they both received A’s—I got a D. I was devastated. I cried. I knew the answers—I just couldn’t process the written test the same way.
Even now, I still wrestle with fear when reading Scripture aloud during a sermon. That fear has tried to hold me back more than once.
But I take comfort in Moses’ story. When God called him, Moses responded, “I am not eloquent… I am slow of speech and of tongue” (Exodus 4:10, NKJV). God didn’t rebuke him—He reassured him. If God could use Moses with his limitations, He can use us too.
Over the years, I discovered that I’m more comfortable writing than speaking. I even wrote a book, Stewarding Your Best Life, and now I write articles to strengthen others in their walk with God. His strength truly is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Everyone Grows at a Different Pace
Not everyone learns the same way. Some things come easily to others, but that doesn’t mean you’re behind. We’re all growing—but we’re growing differently. That’s why Scripture tells us:
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up…” —1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Judge not, that you be not judged.” —Matthew 7:1
Dyslexia taught me this personally. I don’t catch subtle hints. I take things literally. When people say, “You knew what I meant,” I often didn’t. I only knew what they said. It’s not rudeness—it’s wiring. God made me this way. And He equips each of us uniquely for the call on our life (Hebrews 13:21).
The Stages of Spiritual Growth
The rhythm of the Kingdom is this: bottom to top… and then back to the bottom again. But each time, at a higher level.
My mom wrote a book, God’s Tests Are Positive, that outlines the stages of growth in life—and it mirrors our spiritual journey so well.
- Baby Stage – You cry, and someone comes. No one expects maturity. Everything is done for you.
- Toddler Stage – Now you’re being trained. Throwing tantrums and making messes are no longer excused. Not rejection—it’s preparation.
- Kindergarten – You start learning how to sit still, listen, and pay attention.
- Elementary School – Tests are introduced. You take them, pass them, and advance. You’re taught the basics—like math. Then math gets harder. Same subject, different depth.
By 5th grade, you’re the top of the class. You feel confident, capable. But then comes…
- Middle School – And you’re back at the bottom. The rhythm resets. You learn to navigate more complexity—new social dynamics, new academic demands. Same subjects, but deeper content.
Then you rise again—until you’re the leader of the school—an 8th grader. Top dog.
- High School – But guess what? Freshman again. Bottom rung. New environment. New pressure. But also, new opportunity. Each level requires more of you, even if you’re covering familiar ground. Algebra becomes calculus. Reading becomes critical thinking. What used to stretch you now feels basic.
And when you graduate?
- College or Career – You start again. Freshman. Entry-level. Bottom of a new system. But this isn’t failure—it’s growth. It’s the rhythm of development. Bottom to top, over and over again. But every time, you’re going higher.
This is why the same lessons will revisit you in new ways. Because you’re not just repeating—you’re being refined. Trained. Elevated.
“Study to show yourself approved unto God…” —2 Timothy 2:15
“When I was a child, I spoke as a child… but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” —1 Corinthians 13:11
Be Encouraged—You’re Still Growing
No matter where you are—just starting, in transition, or leading—you’re still being transformed into the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). And that process often looks like being humbled… again.
If you’re struggling, you’re not disqualified. God provides help. He sends people. He uses tools. I rely on my team and technology to help me communicate. And there’s no shame in that. Iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17).
Don’t let fear, shame, or comparison keep you from stepping into what God has called you to do. You may feel like you’re at the bottom—but you’re not stuck. You’re growing. You’re advancing to the next level.
“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord,
are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory…” —2 Corinthians 3:18
This is the rhythm of Kingdom growth. From bottom to top… and higher every time.
by Christian International | Apr 8, 2025 | Articles
Life is filled with unexpected moments—some beautiful, others incredibly painful. As believers, we hold on to the truth that no matter what comes, God is still sovereign, and His plans are ultimately for our good. Romans 8:28 reminds us:
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
What followed in my life was a season I never saw coming—but one that God used to deepen my dependence on Him.
In 2023, I experienced two life-altering events that tested my faith, patience, and physical strength.
One morning, after dropping my dad off at the airport—a routine drive I had done countless times—I turned into my neighborhood, just as I always had. But this time, a car came speeding toward me without headlights. The impact was devastating. My car spun. The other car rolled. I was left with six broken bones—my pelvis, back, and rib were fractured—and my life came to a sudden halt.
In an instant, my carefully laid plans vanished. The months ahead turned into a journey of hospitals, healing, and pain management. I had no choice but to surrender control.
Then in November, while putting up Christmas lights, another freak accident struck. I fell from a step stool and landed hard on my right ankle. The break was severe and required surgery, leaving me with a metal plate and five screws. Bedridden again. More plans canceled. More time away from everything I had hoped to enjoy with family and ministry.
Can I explain why this all happened? No.
Did I get some grand revelation in the middle of it all? Honestly, no.
But I clung to the promises of God. I leaned into His Word. I reminded myself daily that God doesn’t waste pain. Even when we don’t understand, He is working behind the scenes—bringing good out of hardship and drawing us closer to Him.
Sometimes the revelation is not in the reason, but in the result: a deeper trust, a clearer voice, a stronger spirit.
And yes—I’ve said it more than once:
“This too shall pass. It may pass like a kidney stone, but it will pass.”
That little bit of humor carried me through more than a few painful days.
I once heard this wisdom:
“Plan your life like you’re going to live to be 100. Live your life like Jesus is coming tomorrow.”
That stayed with me.
We all face trials—physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. Just as the body can be broken and slowly rebuilt, so can the soul. Healing is a process. It takes time. There are scars. There are adjustments. Even now, my back still aches if I stand too long. I walk with a slight limp.
But I’m walking. I’m serving. I’m moving forward by the grace of God.
To anyone going through their own storm: hold on. Be patient. Trust in the slow, steady work of healing that God is doing in you. He is near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18), and He promises never to leave or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).
No matter how difficult things look at the moment, don’t lose hope. Keep your peace. Stay patient with long-suffering. One day, you will look back on this and either laugh or use it to help someone else walk through a similar trial. It will become part of your testimony—a teaching and maturing experience that God uses to conform you into the likeness and image of Christ Jesus (Romans 8:29).
Psalm 30:5 says:
“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”
Worrying about something will not change it. Scripture tells us not to worry:
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34).
Sometimes we have to take one day at a time, one hour at a time, or even one minute at a time. If you dwell too much on the future, it can become overwhelming and discouraging.
In those moments, I sing the old hymn:
“One day at a time, sweet Jesus, that’s all I’m asking of You. Just give me the strength to do every day what I have to do.”
And I pray—continually.
There are times when all you can do is whisper prayers under your breath or in your heart. Keep your mind fixed on Christ, and resist the urge to spiral into fear or doubt.
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”(1 Thessalonians 5:16–18)
This too shall pass.
And when it does, you’ll emerge stronger, wiser, and more rooted in the faithfulness of your God.
You are not alone.
Keep the faith.
Keep walking.
by admin | Feb 1, 2025 | Articles
A message from the CEO of Christian International Sherilyn Hamon Miller:
In every season of life, God has placed a unique calling on each of us. To fulfill it, we must remain focused and obedient, refusing to be distracted by comparison or discouraged by the opinions of others. Stay on task. Do what God has called you to do, trusting that His plan is purposeful, even when it doesn’t make sense or seems insignificant.
The Loneliness of Obedience
There are times when obedience to God feels isolating. Like Adam in the garden, walking and talking with God daily, you may still feel alone in your assignment. Adam’s task of naming animals and tending the garden might have seemed mundane, but it was part of God’s divine plan.
Scripture reminds us of God’s concern for our need for companionship:
“And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him.” (Genesis 2:18)
We were created to need one another. Godly relationships provide accountability, encouragement, and correction—helping us see blind spots we cannot recognize on our own. This mirrors how a car’s side mirror reveals what’s hidden in our blind spots, preventing collisions and accidents in life. Similarly, God often uses others to keep us aligned with His will.
Preparation in Obscurity
Throughout the Bible, God used seasons of obscurity and loneliness to prepare His people for greater assignments:
- Noah: Faithful in Obedience
Noah’s story is a powerful example of staying on task even when the world doesn’t understand. God called Noah to do something extraordinary—build an ark to save humanity and the animal kingdom from a flood, even though no one had ever seen rain. Imagine the loneliness Noah must have felt as he followed God’s instructions.
Noah’s obedience was met with ridicule. People mocked him as he built the massive ark. Imagine how he felt as his wife and children were made fun of and bullied because of his obedience. Yet, Noah remained faithful. Day by day, he followed God’s blueprint, trusting in His plan. His faith and perseverance led to the preservation of the human race and a new covenant with God.
“By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house.” (Hebrews 11:7)
- Daniel and the Lions’ Den, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and the Fiery Furnace: Courage in Faith
Daniel’s unwavering obedience led him to a den of lions, where his life hung in the balance. Likewise, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego faced the fiery furnace for refusing to bow to an idol. Alone and surrounded by threats, they trusted God completely. What seemed like their destruction became a divine testimony of God’s power. Their faith not only saved them but also turned the hearts of kings and nations toward the one true God.
- Paul: Perseverance in Suffering
Paul endured imprisonment, beatings, and betrayal while carrying out God’s mission. Despite the isolation of a prison cell, Paul worshiped God, stayed on task, and shared the gospel. His faithfulness planted seeds for the church that continue to grow today.
- Mary, Mother of Jesus: Obedience Amid Doubt
Mary carried the Son of God, but she likely faced judgment and doubt from those around her. Even Joseph, her fiancé, initially struggled to believe her miraculous story. Imagine how he must have felt hearing his betrothed was pregnant. Yet Mary and Joseph trusted God’s calling, knowing their obedience was part of His eternal plan.
- Jesus: The Ultimate Example of Faithfulness
Jesus Himself exemplified staying on task, even in the face of betrayal, rejection, and unimaginable suffering. Though abandoned by His disciples and mocked by His own people, He carried out the will of the Father. Through the cross, He brought salvation to all humanity. His example reminds us to remain faithful, no matter the cost.
Avoid Comparison and Stay Faithful
It’s easy to look at others and feel inadequate or insignificant, especially in a culture obsessed with followers, likes, subscribers and accolades. But as followers of Christ, our goal is not fame or recognition. Not to have the biggest church, largest podcast or worldwide ministry. It is to serve faithfully and be conformed to the image of Christ.
“His Lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” (Matthew 25:23)
God does not measure success as the world does. He values faithfulness in the small things. Whether your calling is in the spotlight or in quiet obedience, trust that it is significant in His Kingdom.
Encouragement for the Journey
When you feel alone or insignificant, remember:
- God is with you. He has promised, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
- Your obedience matters. God sees your faithfulness and will reward it in His time.
- You need others. Allow godly relationships to encourage and sharpen you.
- Trust God’s plan. He is preparing you for something greater, even in seasons of obscurity.
In closing, do not let discouragement or comparison derail you from fulfilling your divine calling. Stay on task. Keep your motives pure. Serve with humility, knowing that God’s approval is far greater than the applause of men. When we walk faithfully in our calling, we glorify God and fulfill His purpose for our lives.
One day, we will stand before Him and hear the words we all long for:
“Well done, good and faithful servant.
