The Truth About Being Misunderstood as You Grow in God
As I started to grow in spiritual knowledge and maturity, I began to understand why I outgrew certain people—and why some outgrew me. Have you ever heard the saying, “you can’t bring certain people where God is taking you”? It’s real.
The reason we outgrow people isn’t because we’re better than them. It’s because we’ve allowed the Holy Spirit to take His rightful place in our hearts—removing the things that were once holding us back. John 16:13 (NLT) says, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.” And when that happens, it’s like the blinders come off. You start seeing differently. Things become clearer. What once seemed to make sense… doesn’t anymore, because God’s wisdom takes center stage.
From there, your thinking begins to shift. And once your thinking shifts, your life follows. Romans 12:2 (NLT) says “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” That transformation doesn’t stay hidden—it shows up in your decisions, your boundaries, and yes… even your relationships.
When holiness becomes a priority, people start seeing you differently. They may not have the words for it, but they recognize the shift. The version of you they were comfortable with starts to fade, and now they don’t quite know how to take you. So sometimes the response is distance… indifference… even subtle resistance. They say things like “you’ve changed” and the answer is ABSOLUTELY! I have!
Sometimes we lose friendships, or even grow distant from family. It can feel bittersweet—but if we’re being honest, it leans more sweet than bitter. Because now, instead of living to please people, we’re living to please God. Galatians 1:10 (NLT) says “Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.”
So when people start to fall away, don’t panic. Don’t chase. And don’t shrink to make others comfortable. Rejoice. Because it’s often a sign that something deeper is happening—God is doing an internal shift that’s finally showing up on the outside.
Holiness will separate you—but it will also position you. And what God is calling you into will always be worth what you had to let go of. ■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“Holy and Misunderstood”, written by KLizzie, edited by Reverend Fran Mack, for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2026. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.
