Growth spurt

Can you agree that some of the toughest experiences in life end up teaching us the most? 

 I remember I was going through a tough time of a lot of changes and my wise friend listened to my woes and then said, “Oh, this is exciting.  Great spiritual growth happens in times of change and challenge.”

 Easy for her to say…

 Of course, now looking back, she was right.  I can’t say I welcome those times and say, “Oh this is so exciting, I’m in pain and feeling unsure of myself and my life.  Oh GOODY!  I’m in the midst of a spiritual growth spurt!” It’s not like that.  But I do see that when we are challenged, we are forced to look at ourselves, our lives, our choices, and think about who we want to be.

 Part of the challenge in life is to be okay in the times of questioning…to not panic or as it’s popular to say now, to, “Keep Calm and Carry On”.  To rely on your inner knowing that your life is as it should be.  Wouldn’t it be great to actually love the questions?  Wouldn’t it be great if you could embrace change and welcome the new and unknown?  (And I don’t mean a new car or an unknown vacation spot.  I mean the tough stuff.)

 Maybe the way you saw things happening, the way you “pictured your life” isn’t the way it is.  Maybe it’s better.  Maybe different is better.  Maybe if you let go of the way you think it “should be”, you can make room for acceptance for the “way it is”. 

 God never stops working on us.  He never decides he’s too tired to deal with our lives, our uncertainties, our fears.  He never sleeps.  He’s ready to use what we are dealing with to create growth and abundance in our lives.  He is ready and planning on us learning and getting closer to Him with every step we take.  He’s watching.  He’s watching the tears, the questioning, the decision making, the hand wringing.  He’s with us when we go to bed with doubts.  He is watching when we open a new door.  He’s encouraging us to walk through it. He’s with us when we change.  He’s cheering us on and rooting for us.  We are in this together.  We are not alone. 

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

                                                                        -Philippians 4:6