Stop Asking for Growth if You Can't Handle the Discomfort

Recently, I've been praying more often that God would help me to become a godly, Christlike woman. I've been praying over the future wife and mother that I want to be, the woman in ministry that I want to be. And then suddenly, I feel like I'm getting hit with punch after punch after punch with different things testing me, pushing my buttons, and discouraging me.

I came to God feeling very overwhelmed with all these things (some small, some bigger), and really laid it all out there. That in itself was very freeing, but He revealed something so beautiful to me that I am just so excited to share with you.

I was reminded of James 1:2-4, verses I've read countless times. It says:

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perserverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

I realized that these punches and waves that I feel like I'm getting hit with are an answered prayer. I asked for growth and maturity, and this is the process that it takes.

When God revealed this to me, I felt a huge weight lift off my chest. I felt joy.

These "trials," every little thing testing my patience and kindness and forgiveness, is God working on me. He's refining and pruning my heart. He's making me into the godly woman that I dream of becoming and pray to be. I long to be a biblical, gentle, holy wife and mother one day, and sibling and daughter and friend currently, and that won't happen overnight. Butterflies and rainbows won't refine me, but the fire will, and God is helping me to become that. Because He's not throwing me into the fire and expecting me to fend for myself, but He's giving me strength, hope, and endurance every step of the way.

Growth and maturity require discomfort. It's going to take some fire and pruning. But God is calling me to approach it and embrace it joyfully. I will praise Him, because He sees me and is molding me into the godly woman that honors Him and advances the kingdom. These struggles and frustrations aren't meant to be discouragement, they're meant to be a cause of celebration that God is moving and refining!

And I am so thankful for that. I can honestly say that whenever my focus becomes the Father's character and promises, instead of my struggles, I can truly find joy in all the waves and punches. I can stay hopeful, because my Savior is keeping me afloat.

But this lesson has reminded me that sometimes, we pray powerful prayers without realizing that God really will answer them. When we ask for growth, maturity, or any fruit of the Spirit, He will provide - but not by magically making us better, but by refining us. We are surprised when we ask to become more like Christ and then have to face difficulties like Christ did. We pray for maturity and then beg for a way out of the fire that will make us mature.

God is convicting me of this and I pray that when we realize this pattern, that we start getting comfortable being uncomfortable. We will never become true, passionate, wholehearted Christians if our mission is to avoid pain or difficulty. I believe that God wants to help us grow and mature, but if we aren't willing to do the hard things, we'll never see the fruit.

I want to see the fruit, and I'm willing to do the hard things.

And it all comes back to God's character. I cannot go through the fire or trials by myself. When I feel the waves crashing over me, I have to lean into the Lord or I will drown. But that's why I can so confidently say that I'll do the hard things, because I know that He is right by my side to help and guide me. He will never lead me into something that He won't guide me out of, and so I find safety in His presence and the refuge of His love. God is so good and kind my friends, and we can be comforted in knowing that we aren't walking through the fire alone.

There is another in the fire, and His name is Jesus.

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Two things I wanted to plug this week on the blog:

First, Run the Race is now on Etsy! If you are looking for some simple, affordable tools to dive deeper in your Bible study, please go check out the Etsy shop here! Your support means the world to me and I'm praying that the Lord would continue to grow Run the Race!

Secondly, my brother is raising money for a very special former teacher of mine. She is battling cancer right now, and any prayers or financial support you can offer would be so appreciated. She is such a light and means so much to me, and she needs all the love she can get during this time. Again, thank you so much for your support!