Growing Pains

Whenever I was little I had growing pains. I can remember one specific time, I woke up and my legs felt so sore and I didn’t know why. Being the dramatic child that I was, I threw myself down on the kitchen floor and complained about my legs hurting. My mom told me I was probably just experiencing growing pains and it would go away after a while.

Much like physical growing pains we get when we’re young, I think we also experience some spiritual growing pains as we grow older.

Becoming exactly who God wants you to be and getting rid of your old selves sounds all fine and dandy until you actually start to let it happen.

Sometimes it hurts. It does not feel good to be corrected or convicted.

“For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:11)

The peaceful fruit of righteousness? Sign me up.

The Lord convicts us because He loves us. Like a Father loves his sons and daughters, because that’s exactly what we are. Sons and daughters of the one true King.

“My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.” (Proverbs 3:11-12)

God convicts and disciplines us because He loves us. Not to be mean or mock our mistakes. He wants to mold us and shape us into exactly who He wants us to be. What a comfort.

I know it’s still not easy sometimes, and we can honestly grow pretty weary…especially with the enemy whispering lies into our ears and reminding us of all the times we’ve messed up.

But He understands.

“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14-16)

God understands what we’re going through. Every trial we face; every temptation we fight…He gets it.

I think that our human nature is to turn away from God when things seem too hard. Fighting for a change and against everything satan throws our way is difficult but we can’t run from God. That’s the exact opposite of what we’re supposed to do. Running away won’t help, it will only hinder you from becoming who He created you to be.

Hebrews literally says “Let us then with confidence draw NEAR to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help IN TIME OF NEED.”

May I also add that the verse says with confidence?

In our time of need, we draw near to Him.

When we’re being disciplined, we draw near to Him.

In the midst of difficult heart change, we draw near to Him.

“Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.” (Hebrews 12:12)

#growing #hurt #discipline