5 Signs God is Stretching Your Faith

At times, the circumstances in your life may seem hard, confusing, or incompatible with God’s grace. Yet the truth is that these situations may merely be evidence of God working in your life. The discomfort of hardships, unexpected emotional situations, deeper needs, changes in self, and a stronger desire to call on God are all indicators that God is actively growing your faith.

You Encounter a Trial

Life can be running smoothly, and suddenly, one trial after another, big or small, seems to be hitting you from nowhere. Romans 5:3-4 (NIV) tells us that “we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” This shows us that suffering can be a chance for our faith to stretch and grow. When trials arise, God provides an opportunity for us to mature and connect more deeply with Him.

You Face a Change

Throughout our lives, we will experience seasons of steady rhythm and seasons of sudden change or major decisions. Rather than rocking our faith, these moments should strengthen us. When a change comes, God is moving us toward something. He has something for us because He wants to stretch us. Isaiah 43:19 (NIV) reminds us of this when it says, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

You Face a Sacrifice

Sometimes we go through life with focus and clarity, and then something will happen to disrupt our smooth path. We will feel an urge to help someone, do something, serve in some way, or give more than we normally do. This is an urge from the Holy Spirit. This is God taking you deeper into communion with Him as He teaches you to sacrifice through creating opportunities of self-denial and giving. Scripture tells us that this is worship in Romans when it says, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship” (Romans 12:1) (NIV).

You Have Fresh Vision

Whenever we begin to think differently than we normally do, it is a sign that God is working in us. We can become so rooted in our ways that a perspective shift is jarring, but we need to explore them openly. God may be moving in our hearts and minds to teach us something new, to deepen our understanding of who He is, and to lead us onto a new path that will grow us and glorify Him. The Bible regularly comments on our newness in Christ. In heaven, one day our bodies will be new, but on earth, it is our minds and spirits that are being renewed. It should come as no surprise, then, when new thoughts, ideas, perspectives, and passions begin to confront us. This is a sign that God is working and stretching our faith. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) tells us, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

You See Fruit

One of the most joyful realizations of spiritual growth is seeing fruit in our own lives. Perhaps we can look at a trial with confidence or joy; maybe we see God helping us overcome past temptations, maybe we feel a new hunger for the Word, or find ourselves sharing our faith more often. These moments are times to rejoice, humbly thank God, and be reminded that God has promised to grow us. We should expect to see fruit. Fruit can come with burdens and hardships, but fruit is still the result. Just as Matthew 7:16-18 (NIV) says, “By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit,” we can recognize the strengthening of our own faith in the evidence of our own fruit.

Even when life seems difficult or unsure, we can be growing. We need to view these signs with hope and consider what they are pointing to: growth. God is always working, whether the work seems difficult or easy. What we would call bad, He may be using as good. Don’t be discouraged, but rather encouraged that God is strengthening your faith and growing you spiritually in these situations. Trust His process and rely on His strength. Be open to the lessons He wants to teach, and you will see fruit!