"For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are My ways your ways, says the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9

Paul tells us in Philippians 4:12,
"I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need."
How did Paul learn these things? Through experiencing many circumstances and the Lord's dealings in them.

God's ways and our learning! As mentioned in the past, we are works in progress. The Lord teaches us through circumstances also. However, we also have the Scriptures and above all we have the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Scripture gives us some examples--
We learn through circumstances and trials (and we know these verses well.) "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of our faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."
James 1:2-4
(Patience is an attribute of God's and it is something we must learn.)

Paul learned that the Lord's 'strength was made perfect in weakness.' Read the account of a thorn in Paul's flesh, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.

We learn through the Scriptures:
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."  2 Timothy 3:16-17

We learn through the Holy Spirit:
"Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches..." 1 Corinthians 2:12-13

We know this, for Scripture tells us in Philippians 1:6, "...that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ."

That good work began as we see in Titus 3:4-6, "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His, mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our
Savior."   And,
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new."

As new born babes in Christ we have much to learn. We are to be holy, blameless, complete, perfect--
*Holy:
"Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will." Ephesians 1:4-5
*Blameless:
"...That you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ."
1 Corinthians 1:8
*Perfect:
"Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect."
Matthew 5:48
*Complete:
"Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ..." Heb. 13:20-21

God has the Church in mind, not only individuals! Read Ephesians 5:25-27, "That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish."
Vs.27

Thank You for lovingly teaching us; prepare our hearts and minds to learn to serve You in the manner that is right in Your sight. Amen