Growing Pains

My daughter will occasionally complain about growing pains in her legs.

The truth is, nobody likes pain or discomfort…

But pain is sometimes a very natural, normal, and even necessary part of the growth process.

If you’re growing, you will likely experience some discomfort or pain.

People are suckers for pain-free formulas, schemes and magic pills….

“Get rich quick!”

“Lose weight fast without dieting or exercise!”

The Bible says, “Wealth from get-rich schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time.” (Proverbs 13.11 NLT)

Pain-free growth is usually short-lived, but steady growth over time (with some pain) has staying power.

When Israel crossed over from the desert-side of the Jordan River into the Promised Land, their new address meant change and growing pains.

One major change was how they got food.

God no longer provided manna (bread from heaven) for the people.

The Israelites now had to harvest crops and store food for the other seasons.

This took effort, planning, work, new systems, new thinking, and new ways of doing things.

For 40 years, they received manna in the desert…

No planting. No irrigating. No weeding. No harvesting. No storing.

Now, they had to deal with the pain of change.

Growth and pain often go hand in hand.

As Israel received their inheritance—their Promised Land, they were simultaneously growing through the discomfort and pain of change.

A total absence of discomfort or pain in your life may not be a good sign.

Life was pretty easy for the Israelites in the desert…

But the desert wasn’t their destination—it was just a detour on the way to their destiny.

Don’t get stuck in a life of ease, comfort and no-growth.

Embrace the discomfort of growth.

Remember, growing pains are a good sign.