Grow Up, NOT Down

Have you ever been in a season where you don't understand what God is doing? Have you ever wondered why God allows certain things to happen in your life? If you answered "yes", believe me, you're not the first and certainly NOT the last!

God allows trials, tribulations, and situations for a reason. Though we may not understand them, those things that come up in your life truly have a purpose. Sometimes, it takes a minute to figure it out, but eventually you will realize the "why" behind what God is doing.

Here are a few things that I have learned:

1. God Uses Hardship as a Refining Fire

• Not every trial is an attack from Satan—sometimes it’s God shaping us.
• Just like gold is refined by fire, challenges reveal what’s inside us and strengthen our character. (Malachi 3:3 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness,)
• Example: Job’s trials tested his faith but also refined his trust in God (Job 23:10 10 But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.).

2. Attacks Can Produce Endurance

• James 1:2–4 (NIV): “Consider it pure joy…whenever you face trials…because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
• Growth often happens under pressure. Some “attacks” are God stretching us so we won’t break in future seasons.

3. Discernment Helps Us See the Source

• Not everything is demonic. Discernment helps us know: Is this a spiritual attack, or is God maturing me?
• Hebrews 5:14: “But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”
• Discernment brings peace: instead of "rebuking the devil" for everything, we learn to ask God, “What are You teaching me in this?”

4. Attacks Expose Weaknesses That Need Strengthening

• Some challenges show us blind spots, immaturity, or areas we must surrender to God.
• Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7–10) humbled him and taught him reliance on God’s grace.

5. Growth Through Attacks Prepares Us for Greater Responsibility

• Before promotion, there’s testing. God sometimes allows resistance to prove we can handle more.
• David had to face lions and bears before Goliath. Each “attack” built his confidence in God’s power. 

There are more things that I can add to this. Check out my podcast below. This is going to be good! Make sure to tune in!