For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:5-8

Throughout my life I have been happy in my work as long as I am experiencing growth – learning and broadening my knowledge, developing skills. I realized a long time ago that this requires me to get out of my comfort zone. You can’t reach for more without stretching … right? 

Don’t believe me? Try it …

In general, growth of any kind is not experienced without some pain or discomfort – physically, professionally, emotionally, spiritually. 

Consider this example: Soon after my son started high school, I noticed he frequently complained about his legs aching. At the time, little did we know that those nagging aches and pains were ushering him into adulthood. It wasn’t until later that I realized he grew 9 inches from his freshman to his sophomore year in high school. That was unbelievable and incredible to me. I had to start looking up to my sweet son who now towers over me. After he endured the physical strain resulting in his adult height, he began to take great joy in peering down and leaning on me to emphasize his stature. I am a bit vertically challenged and this further emphasized it.

I can cite numerous examples where this has been true for me professionally as well. Keeping late nights and long hours, working to complete a task or project, returning to school for advanced degrees. The list could go on and on. I am certain you have your own experiences to highlight. 

So, it really is true. No pain, no gain.

What about our spiritual growth? Yes, the same concept applies to this too. Even when we stop growing on the outside, we can and should continue growing on the inside.

If you are thinking spirituality is comforting, pleasant, and hopeful. You are correct.

If you extend that into thinking spirituality is not painful, uncomfortable, or difficult, I say you are incorrect.

Spirituality is all of the above. Remember: no pain, no gain. 

I said at the beginning I find I am happiest in my work when I am growing. Examining my life, I can see that this is true personally, spiritually too. When I consider times of unhappiness or discontent in my faith walk, those periods clearly coincide with phases of being spiritually stagnant. 

Consider this: If you are unhappy in your faith or questioning your blessings and beliefs (or the lack of), maybe you need to get out of your spiritual comfort zone. 

Set aside time to read the Bible or join a Bible study group. Listen to Christian music or a faith-based podcast. Try a new Sunday school class or a different worship service.

Become uncomfortable by altering your schedule to make time for Jesus and by making it a habit to focus on your own spiritual growth. 

It may hurt at first – getting out of bed earlier for faith-focused thought and reflection, giving up a free weeknight to fellowship with other Christians, taking time to read a devotional series or the Bible instead of the most recent bestseller, kneeling in purposeful prayer on a regular basis. Through these growing pains you are sure to add to the qualities mentioned in the scripture: faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love.

Imagine the new heights you will reach in your relationship with God and your increasing measure in being a productive, effective, happy follower of Christ.