When the Struggle is Part of the Shift

The Hard Truth About Change

Most of us don’t enjoy the process of transformation. And if we’re completely honest—if  we could become the absolute best version of ourselves without the discomfort of growth, many of us would sign up for that shortcut. But truth and experience have taught us a hard lesson: growth requires shedding immaturity. That’s why the Word reminds us that a man must leave his father and mother to cling to his wife, and why Paul tells us that when we grow up, we put away childish things. You can’t step into maturity holding on to old ways.

Letting Go of Childish Things

Think about it—babies grow in stages. From the first cry, they’re already showing you what they want and how they want it. They grow from toddler, to preschool, and then grade school. Over the years, the body grows and so do our desires, but the soul doesn’t keep pace—it lags behind. We may look grown on the outside, but emotionally, we can still wrestle with habits, attitudes, and reactions that don’t line up with maturity. So it’s clear that becoming mature doesn’t happen with the snap of a finger. It’s a process. And that process is where the frustration lives.

Paul prayed in Ephesians 3:14–17 (NLT): “When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.” Growth takes time. But we want the goodies that come from it right now. We want God to shift us overnight. The hardest test is how we act when it’s clear we can’t speed up the timetable. That’s when immaturity shows its face—and our ego gets busted.

The Test of Maturity

Picture a couple who’s been dating for six months. On the surface, everything looks good. The chemistry is there, love is strong, and they’re already dreaming about rings and wedding vows. But when life applies pressure, the cracks begin to show. Arguments rise, doubts creep in, and suddenly what felt unshakable starts to wobble. Why? Because maturity doesn’t come from romance alone. It’s not enough to have butterflies—it takes roots.

Real maturity comes from depending on God first. Before two people can carry the weight of marriage, they have to learn how to carry the weight of obedience. Scripture makes it plain in 2 Timothy 3:16–17 (NLT): “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work.”

That’s the difference between surface love and covenant love. Without the Word shaping us, we’re unprepared for the responsibilities we’re asking God to entrust us with. Without His truth correcting us, we end up carrying immaturity into places meant for maturity. And when immaturity meets responsibility, the weight can crush us.

Growth takes more than excitement and good intentions—it takes surrender. It takes the willingness to let God break cycles, prune attitudes, and strip away the parts of us that can’t carry the promise.

Transformation Requires Surrender

Life has a way of exposing the childish things we try to cling to. Real growth means letting go—of old habits, old mindsets, and old cycles that keep us stuck. Pay attention to the struggles that keep surfacing and the patterns that keep repeating in your life. Press in to the Spirit’s conviction and don’t ignore it. God never intended for us to stay the same. He loves us too much to leave us in immaturity. And when destiny calls, He’ll always show us what needs to shift—because your struggle isn’t proof you’re stuck—it’s proof God is moving you forward.

Prayer

Dear Father God,
Thank You for loving me enough not to leave me where I am. Even when frustration rises, help me to see it as part of the shift You’re working in me. Teach me to let go of childish things and to embrace the maturity You’ve called me to. Strengthen me by Your Spirit so that my roots grow deep in Your love. When impatience or ego tries to get in the way, remind me that transformation is a process and that You are faithful to finish what You started. I surrender my habits, my patterns, and my immaturity into Your hands. Shape me, grow me, and prepare me for the fullness of the life You’ve promised.
In the precious and powerful name of Jesus Christ, I pray, amen. ■

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.

“When the Struggle is Part of the Shift”, written by Kim Times, edited by Rev. Fran Mack and KLizzie for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2025.  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.