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Spiritual Growth Often Begins With Change

Spiritual Growth Often Begins With Change

Last updated on: September 20, 2026 at 5:00 am by Michele Gunn

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Spiritual Growth Often Begins With Change 2026-09-15T07:02:04-05:00 Michele Gunn

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Sometimes we become spiritually comfortable. Familiar routines can feel safe, but disruption often makes us pray differently, listen more carefully, examine our priorities and depend more fully upon God. Disruptions in our routines can be scary and cause us to pull back to what we feel comfortable with. Not every change is sent by God, but God can use every change to grow us, we just have to allow Him to work in us and through us. James 1:2–4 reminds us, “Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

We Like Growth More Than the Process

Most of us do want stronger faith, but often shy away from the true work and commitment needed to develop it. We may be less enthusiastic about the circumstances that develop it. It can be difficult and uncomfortable. Think about the last time you experienced true growth of any kind. I am reminded of my now adult son’s physical experience that was very painful for my husband and I. When he was a child, my son woke up screaming and crying in excruciating pain. His legs hurt so bad that he couldn’t walk. It was scary for all of us. He was diagnosed with severe growing pains and gradually got through it.

I remember experiencing spiritual growth as an adult. It made me very uncomfortable. I was never really taught how to pray except to recite rote prayer. While I was working at a church, I got involved in a prayer group where I learned to really pray, to let the Holy Spirit flow through me. The process was very uncomfortable. I was encouraged and supported. Other members of that prayer group taught me how to pray for people with people. Growth really does begin when something familiar changes.

Change Reveals Where Our Security Lies

It is true that change reveals where our security lies. Familiar routines create predictability. Predictability creates a false sense of security. When our familiar routines disappear, we discover what we’ve depended upon. Pay attention to what you believe you are lacking or what you are holding on to. Change often reveals where we need deeper trust in God.

After you have determined what these things are, give prayerful consideration on how to surrender them to God. Then develop a plan to do it. You will feel a peace when you have truly surrendered to God what you believe are your securities.

The Spiritual Purpose of Pruning

Spend some time with John 15:1–5, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.”

Pruning isn’t punishment. It is an opportunity for new growth. Some things must be removed for healthier growth to occur. That is true in us as well as in plants. I have a friend that asks what am I going to give up (prune) when I tell him of an idea to add something to do. The funny thing is, my youngest daughter asks me the same question. Sometimes it is easier for others to see how you are overburdened and need to prune to grow beautifully. Remember that even good things may belong to a previous season. Specifically remember that not every change comes from God, but God can use every change for our growth. Turn to Him.

Change Can Transform Your Prayer Life

Oftentimes when we pray we are merely asking God to give us something or to give something to someone we love. We pray differently when we don’t know what the outcome will be. We may know what we want, but do we know what God wants for us? During change, prayer moves from asking God to approve our plans toward seeking His will. This is how we should be praying. God does not grant wishes nor is He about making all of your dreams come true. He has a plan for you as Jeremiah 29:11 informs us, “For I know well the plans I have in mind for you—oracle of the LORD—plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope.” His plans are good.

Amidst change, listening becomes increasingly important. We should not just be asking, we should be listening. Listen to hear what God is telling you. When you listen, use your eyes as well as your ears. Words or ideas may pop into your head or they may come from others. Your answers may come from something you witness or in new opportunities that arise. They may also come from a time of struggle or difficulty. Feel the prayer in your soul and the answers will then be found there.

Notice Who You Are Becoming

Stop and look beyond your circumstances. Who are you becoming? Ask yourself the following questions:

Am I becoming more patient?
More trusting?
Am I more compassionate?
More courageous?
Am I more dependent upon God?
More willing to surrender?

Sit in a quiet place and discern the answers. Jot down what comes to mind or what may be spoken to you. If you are having a difficult time. Imagine Jesus walking up to you and sitting down next to you. He puts His hand on your shoulder and says, “My Father shares such good things about you. He sees your spiritual growth. My Father told me ___________________________________.” Listen to what Jesus says.

Growth Doesn’t Always Look Like Progress

Roots grow before fruit appears. Spiritual development can be happening even when circumstances remain unsettled. You may have a difficult time seeing the progress during a period of growth. Just like a plant starts developing beneath the soil, out of sight, your growth begins internally. Sometimes the external circumstances hide truth growth until it can be freed. Our society often encourages us to display our affiliations, but Romans 5:3–5 reminds us, “Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us.”

When you are feeling overwhelmed in a situation, remember the gift that God gave every one of us, the Holy Spirit. Feel Him move within you. Ask for Him to guide you. Pray this prayer:

“Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful

and kindle in them the fire of your love.

Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created,

and you shall renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray.

O God, who have taught the hearts of the faithful

by the light of the Holy Spirit,

grant that in the same Spirit we may be truly wise

and ever rejoice in his consolation.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.”

Remain Connected to the Vine

Know where your help comes from. Psalm 121 reminds us that our help comes from the Lord. Returning to John 15, we know that Jesus is the true vine, God is the vine grower and we are the branches. Our responsibility isn’t to manufacture growth but to remain connected to Christ. Without the vine, the branches will not bear fruit. They need to be connected to the vine grower, who is God. Through Jesus, our spiritual growth will develop through change. Embrace it.

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