Challenge139 — Day 70

FILAS Women Online
Devotional for a deeper, more intimate walk with the God who knows you completely.

Today’s Scripture

Psalm 139:23–24 (KJV)

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Philippians 1:6 (KJV)

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”

Devotional Reflection

Give God Room to Finish

Sis, let me just say this before we continue – We made it to day 70! I am so proud of you for taking the challenge to be better. To better a better version of you, spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically. Keep going sis! Here we go, Sis, have you ever become frustrated with yourself because you thought you should be further along by now? Maybe you’ve been praying about the same attitude, struggling with the same habit, wrestling with the same fear, or trying to overcome something you thought you would have conquered a long time ago. You know God has been working on you because you can recognize areas where you’ve grown, but then something happens that reminds you there are still places within you that need His attention. And before you know it, you’re asking yourself, “Why am I still dealing with this?” But today, I want to remind you of something important: God is not finished with you yet.

Throughout this Challenge139 journey, we’ve invited God to search our hearts, examine our thoughts, reveal what needs to change, and lead us in the way everlasting. We’ve talked about recognizing our shortcomings, responding to God’s correction, and taking intentional steps toward spiritual growth. But sometimes, in our desire to become better, we forget that transformation is a process. We want God to show us something on Monday and have it completely resolved by Tuesday. We want the revelation, the correction, the healing, and the victory to happen all at once. Yet spiritual maturity is often developed through consistent obedience, daily surrender, and lessons that require us to keep returning to God.

Philippians 1:6 gives us such a beautiful assurance: “He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Paul reminds believers that the God who began the work is faithful to continue it. Think about that for a moment. God didn’t begin working in your life without knowing how much work there would be to do. He knew your struggles, your weaknesses, your fears, your tendencies, and the places where you would need His grace. Nothing about your growth process surprises Him.

Sometimes we become so focused on what still needs to change that we overlook what God has already changed. We remember the times we lost our patience but forget how many times we’ve learned to respond differently. We focus on the fear that still shows up but overlook the courage it took to move forward anyway. We criticize ourselves for not being where we want to be without acknowledging how far God has already brought us. Sis, don’t become so consumed with what’s unfinished that you fail to thank God for what’s already been accomplished.

And here’s something else we need to understand: giving God room to finish doesn’t mean sitting back and refusing to participate in our own spiritual growth. It means remaining surrendered to His work. It means continuing to pray, continuing to study His Word, continuing to obey, and continuing to allow Him to correct us when necessary. There will be moments when growth requires uncomfortable decisions, honest conversations, changed behavior, and the willingness to let go of things we’ve become accustomed to carrying. God’s work within us calls for our response, but we don’t have to accomplish that transformation through our own strength.

Psalm 139:24 says, “and lead me in the way everlasting.” Notice that David asks God to lead him. Leading implies movement. It implies a journey. It implies that there is somewhere to go and that we need guidance along the way. David doesn’t ask God to make him instantly perfect. He asks God to lead him in the right direction. And maybe that’s a reminder some of us need today. You don’t have to have arrived to know that God is leading you.

Maybe you’ve made progress, but you’re still working on your attitude. Maybe you’ve learned to trust God more, but uncertainty still makes you uncomfortable. Maybe you’ve forgiven someone, but you’re still allowing God to heal the hurt. Maybe you’re learning to establish healthier boundaries, speak more kindly to yourself, or stop allowing the opinions of others to determine your worth. Whatever the area may be, don’t confuse the presence of an ongoing struggle with the absence of God’s work.

Sis, we have to learn to extend ourselves grace without making excuses for the things God is calling us to change. Grace doesn’t mean we ignore what needs attention. It means we acknowledge that we are still growing and remain willing to cooperate with God’s work within us. We can recognize our progress without becoming complacent, and we can recognize our shortcomings without becoming discouraged.

So today, as we celebrate 70 days of Challenge139, I want you to think about the woman who started this journey and the woman you are becoming. Maybe everything hasn’t changed. Maybe every prayer hasn’t been answered. Maybe there are still areas of your life that need healing, correction, or growth. But if God has been teaching you to trust Him more, examine your heart more honestly, respond to His Word more intentionally, and recognize His presence more clearly, then something beautiful is happening.

God is working in you.

Don’t rush His work. Don’t resist His correction. Don’t dismiss your progress. And don’t give up simply because you haven’t arrived.

Sis, give God room to finish what He started.

Journal Prompt

Take a few moments to reflect on your spiritual growth throughout these 70 days.

What is one area of my life where I can recognize that God has been working on me, even though the process is not complete?

Then ask yourself:

Have I been allowing frustration with my progress to overshadow gratitude for my growth?

Finally, write this declaration:

“Lord, thank You for the work You’ve already done in me. Help me remain surrendered to the work You’re still doing.”

Today’s Challenge

Celebrate the Progress. Continue the Process.

Today, we’re going to take a moment to recognize God’s work in our lives without pretending that we’ve already arrived.

Find a quiet place and write down three things:

1. Where I Started

Think about one attitude, fear, habit, or spiritual struggle you were dealing with when you began this journey.

2. Where I Am Now

Identify one way you’ve grown, changed, or begun responding differently because of what God has been teaching you.

3. Where I’m Still Growing

Acknowledge one area where you still need God’s guidance, strength, or correction.

Now look at what you’ve written and thank God for the progress.

Then pray:

“Lord, I’m grateful for how far You’ve brought me, and I’m trusting You with the work that remains.”

Today, don’t criticize yourself for being unfinished.

Instead, take one intentional step that reflects the woman God is helping you become.

Today’s Prayer

Lord, thank You for beginning a good work in me. Thank You for every lesson You’ve taught me, every truth You’ve revealed, and every area where You’ve helped me grow. Forgive me for the times I’ve become impatient with myself and frustrated with the process of becoming more like You. Help me recognize that spiritual growth requires daily surrender, obedience, and trust. When I become discouraged by the areas where I still struggle, remind me of the progress You’ve already helped me make. Give me humility to receive correction, courage to make necessary changes, and patience to continue growing. Lord, I don’t want to become comfortable remaining the same, but I also don’t want to overlook Your grace while I’m still becoming. Continue the work You’ve begun in me. Search my heart, renew my mind, direct my steps, and lead me in the way everlasting. Thank You that You are faithful to complete what You have started. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Sis, Remember This…

Don’t become so frustrated with the woman you’re still becoming that you forget to thank God for the woman He’s already helped you grow beyond.

Sis, you’re not finished, but God isn’t finished either. Give Him room to continue the good work He started in you. 💗