5 Ways to Trust Him Through the Growing Pains

The process of spiritual growth is rarely comfortable. It often involves stretching and tugging in areas that we’re not used to. It takes us out of our comfort zone and requires us to give up things we’ve always known.

As someone who reached my max height at 5’1″, I never experienced the sensation of physical “growing pains”. I’m not sure if I should be grateful or jealous to have missed out on that! However, as an adult, I’ve gotten a taste of what spiritual growth feels like and can attest to how painful and uncomfortable it can be at times.

As Christians, these growing pains can come in many forms. A situation might feel scary and out of your control, where your only choice is to trust God. You may be called to leave what you’ve known and step out into unfamiliar territory. God may be telling you to give something up that’s been a big part of your life, and you have to rely on His strength to do so.

Whatever the situation, spiritual growth often requires trust and sacrifice. How can we embrace this path to maturing our faith?

Trust That He Goes Before You

God has a plan, and he is preparing the way. This new territory may feel unfamiliar and scary to you, but it’s nothing new to him. The situation that shocked you and threw you for a loop? He saw it coming, and he also sees the other side of it, everything that you can’t.

Trust that he is right beside you through this and has prepared the path that lies ahead. You are not alone on any step of this journey.

“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed” (Deuteronomy 31:8, ESV).

Trust That He Has Something Better

If God is asking to let go of something, to give something up, to move on, it’s because He has something better in store for you.

Sometimes, God calls us to change, and we do everything in our human nature to resist it. We’d much rather stay in the familiar and comfortable corners of our lives. By staying where it’s safe and easy, we can miss out on so much that God has for us.

The most beautiful views are usually found after a long, difficult hike. Our lives are the same way sometimes. We have to move and make uncomfortable changes to see the beauty God has in store for us.

Are there times you can look back on where you’ve made a hard decision in your life and were amazed at what God provided through that?

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares 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, ESV),

Trust That He Sees You

He knows you, your heart, your emotions, and your struggles, and He cares about all of it. It’s okay to share with Him how difficult this feels. God knows that when He stretches you, it’s not going to be easy.

He wants you to come to Him in your times of trouble, to bring your questions, doubts, and worries to Him.

Christ is no stranger to suffering. He will be there for whatever feelings you experience along the way.

“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18, ESV).

Trust His Character

Your situations will change, and so will your feelings, but God never does. Trust that what He has in store is good and will bring Him glory. He loves you and has control, even when situations feel completely out of hand.

Humans can sometimes lose sight of God’s sovereignty, trying to take the reins ourselves. We can be tempted to question where God is in our situation or if He even cares.

We have to remember that God is good and He loves us. His Word is true, and we can cling to it when everything else is shaking!

“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever” (Isaiah 40:8, ESV).

Trust That the Growth is Worth It

Even if it doesn’t feel like it now, there is a purpose in all of this. God has a plan, and it will be better than what you could’ve ever planned for yourself. When things don’t make sense to you, remember, God sees the big picture. Even when the growth is painful, it will result in faith that is stronger and more mature.

“Count it all joy, my brothers,[a] when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4, ESV).