Growing Pains, Shifts, and Transitions

Growing pains, shifting, and transitions are part of life. They remind me of the Israelites being moved from Egypt, through the wilderness, and eventually into the Promised Land. That gap between promise and possession lasted far longer than they expected. Forty years instead of days. For us, it might be weeks or months, but the feeling is familiar.

A million people being moved from a slave mentality into a promised land where God said provision would flow like milk and honey required an intense shift. It wasn’t gentle. It came through plagues, confrontation, and long conversations between Moses and Pharaoh. There must have been anger, flare-ups, negotiations, and moments where nothing seemed to move.

Until it did.

The final night was the turning point. The lamb. The blood on the doorposts. The angel of death passing over those who were marked. Pharaoh finally let God’s people go. And when they left, they didn’t leave empty-handed. They left wealthy, with the Egyptians handing over silver and gold.

Freedom came, but it wasn’t finished.

Pharaoh quickly regretted his decision and chased them down. Just before Israel could escape fully, they hit the Red Sea. Trapped. And then God made a way. The sea opened. Israel crossed. The Egyptians followed and were drowned. That must have been shocking to witness, but also deeply relieving. Four hundred years of captivity ended in a moment.

As Christians, we understand this story spiritually. We’ve been brought out of darkness and translated into the kingdom of light, as Colossians tells us. But even after salvation, there’s a shift that has to happen in how we think. The Israelites wandered in the wilderness, and although they eventually entered the land, even years later Joshua was still dealing with people who hadn’t fully taken what God had already given them.

Faith is a lifestyle. It’s learning to trust God by putting one foot in front of the other and moving forward. Faith never takes us backwards. Paul said he pressed toward the mark. The race only goes one way.

Right now, I’m walking on frost-covered streets in Southport. The sun is high in the sky. It’s early, fresh, and quiet. My body aches, and there’s a reason for that.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve become more aware of my body. Back pain. Hip pain. Knee pain. Joint pain. I still go to the gym. I still lift weights. And I know this: if you don’t use your body, it stiffens. It freezes. It weakens. We weren’t designed to sit endlessly or stare at screens all day.

Recently, I’ve been relearning how to move properly. Deep squatting. Sitting without a chair. Stretching parts of my body that haven’t moved well in years. A few days in, everything started screaming. My lower back flared up. My knees hurt. My hips hurt. I nearly gave up, thinking I was injuring myself.

Then something clicked.

The pain wasn’t because my body was breaking. It was because it was changing.

Growing pains and transitions in life feel the same. When God starts to stretch you, your emotions cry out. Your mind resists. Old patterns say, “You can’t change.” But that resistance is often the sign that something is shifting.

Scripture tells us to count it all joy when trials come. Not because they’re pleasant, but because they’re doing a work in us. Don’t quit. Don’t grow weary in doing good. You cannot afford to quit in the middle of a transition.

I believe the greater things of 2026 will require a shift in mentality. An increase mindset. An understanding that growth always involves movement. Jesus is the door. Every door has a key. If you don’t have the key, don’t force the door. Wait for revelation, or recognise that a different door may be for you.

God has greater things for individuals, families, businesses, and ministries. But those greater things come with growing pains. You may need to change friendships, direction, vocation, or season. God may be shifting things in your life that feel uncomfortable, but they are purposeful.

Cast all your cares on Him, because He cares for you.

Gold vessels are formed through fire. Refining is never comfortable, but it produces something lasting. And today, I sense the Spirit breathing again. Breathing on dry bones. Breathing on tired places. Bringing life where things have felt stiff or dormant.

Let the growing pains do their work. Let the transitions take place.

As we walk this journey together, as we pioneer Faith Life Preston, and as we meet with the Holy Spirit daily, we trust the One who builds the house.

Have a great day.

Signing off,
Andy

If you don’t have a church, come and join us this Sunday at Faith Life Preston.

Your activation today: don’t resist the stretch. Keep moving forward.