Growth usually takes growing pains, actually there are always some sort of pain. When I work out physically…the pain is a given. So much so that if I dont feel some sort of “pain” after an intense workout, I think that I should have done more. If that is the case why do I complain when I deal with emotional or spiritual pain?

A few entries ago I wrote about pain but from a view point where I didn’t embrace it. I beat myself up for areas that I was weak at. Upon further reflection…I am glad that I went through all of that. With my upcoming stay in California, I needed to be reminded of the things that I are lacking in my life. It gave me over a week to get back in a routine that I know works.

The raw parts are still raw, things that were affecting me are still affecting me, the emotional and physical pain are still around. What has happened is my spiritual walk has been restored. Back to praying diligently for those I love, reading the Bible even more fervently than I have in a long time (not quite up to my sponsors level but better. Its progress not perfection) and I am enjoying being a servant again.

I dont like the times when the growing pains are happening. Being stuck in the mindset that all pain is bad prohibited me from seeing where God was in all of this. There is a difference between “good pain” & “bad pain” from a fitness point of view. Good pain is what is making your muscles grow, getting stronger and moving forward in goals. Bad pain is an injury that hold you back.

Over the last 2 months or so the pain that I was feeling spiritually was good for me. It reaffirmed that without keeping my focus on God at all times can lead to lack of peace. Seeking His will has become even more of a priority than it has ever been. The emotional & physical pain lies in the bad category. No one to blame, just a part of living life. Now all I have to do is accept what is in front of me, give it to God and allow Him to turn it into a period of remarkable growth.