Growth Doesn’t Happen by Accident
Some things in life just happen. The sun rises in the morning, time keeps moving forward, and seasons change. But personal growth? That’s different. Growth isn’t automatic. It’s a choice.
Last night, I got to share with a room full of leaders, and we talked about something that applies to every single one of us. If we’re not growing, we’re getting stagnant. Whether it’s in our faith, leadership, relationships, or personal development, growth doesn’t just happen. It requires effort.
Romans 12:2 reminds us not to conform to the patterns of this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.Transformation is an ongoing process, not a one-time event. That means growth is something we have to choose, day after day.
And the truth is, it starts with a few key things.
Growth Requires Self-Discipline
Most people want to grow. Few people want to put in the work.
Think about someone who talks about getting in shape but never makes time to exercise. Or the person who says they want to read more but never picks up a book. There’s a big difference between wanting to grow and actually doing what it takes.
Last night on the way home from our leadership meeting, I told Rachel, “Since tomorrow I’m going to begin disciplining my body, tonight I want to feed it some ice cream. Do you want Andy’s or Dairy Queen?” She laughed because, well, that’s how it goes sometimes. We want discipline, but we also want ice cream.
And that’s the tension, isn’t it? The desire for growth and discipline is there, but it’s so easy to justify a little comfort first. And that applies far beyond food.
Proverbs 12:1 doesn’t pull any punches when it says, “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.” That’s blunt, but it’s true. If we resist discipline, we resist growth.
Paul compared the Christian life to a race, reminding us in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 that just like an athlete trains, pushes through resistance, and stays committed, we have to do the same when it comes to spiritual and personal growth.Discipline isn’t easy, but it’s the bridge between where we are and where we want to be.
It’s one thing to say we want to grow, but are we actually setting aside the time to make it happen? Are we making space for prayer, Scripture, learning, and intentional reflection? Growth doesn’t happen on its own. It takes a decision.
Growth Requires a Teachable Spirit
One of the biggest threats to growth is thinking we’ve arrived. If we stop learning, we stop growing.
We’ve all been around someone who always has to be right, who can’t receive feedback, and who resists correction. It’s exhausting. And honestly? It’s dangerous.
Proverbs 1:5 says, “Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance.”
Being teachable means being willing to listen, to learn from others, and to admit we don’t have it all figured out.
Last night, I had a lighthearted moment when I said, “Rachel, you were right.” Everyone laughed because, well, you know how it is between a husband and wife. Anyone who’s been married for more than five minutes knows how this goes. There’s that moment when you realize, "Yep, she was right," but saying it out loud? That’s another thing entirely.
But honestly, it was a great reminder. How often do we resist wisdom because we want to be right? How many times do we push back on advice, not because it’s wrong, but because admitting we need to change is hard?
Moses could have ignored his father-in-law, Jethro, when he told him to start delegating leadership responsibilities. But he listened, applied the advice, and his leadership improved. Peter had to learn through his failures, and God used him to help build the early church.
We don’t grow in isolation. We need people in our lives who challenge us, encourage us, and tell us the truth even when it’s uncomfortable. A teachable heart keeps us from becoming stagnant.
Growth Requires Perseverance Through Challenges
Growth isn’t always easy. In fact, more often than not, growth is painful.
James 1:2-4 tells us to consider it joy when we face trials because those trials produce perseverance, and perseverance leads to maturity.
David was anointed king as a young man, but he didn’t step into that calling right away. Instead, he spent years on the run, facing rejection and hardship before he ever sat on the throne. Joseph was betrayed by his brothers, falsely accused, and spent years in prison before he stepped into leadership.
It’s easy to want the reward without the process. But more often than not, the process is where God shapes us. The things we’re going through today might be the very things preparing us for what’s ahead.
If you’re facing challenges right now, don’t lose sight of the fact that growth is happening even when you can’t see it. Hard seasons refine us. They push us beyond what’s comfortable. They teach us perseverance. And if we stay the course, we come out stronger on the other side.
Final Thoughts
Growth is a choice. It doesn’t happen by accident, and it’s not always easy. But if we commit to discipline, stay teachable, and push through challenges, we’ll continue becoming the people God has called us to be.
So here’s the challenge. What’s one specific way you’ll commit to growth this week? Maybe it’s being more disciplined in your spiritual habits, seeking out a mentor, or simply refusing to quit when things get hard.
Whatever it is, make the choice to grow. It’s always worth it.
A Prayer for Growth
Lord, thank You for calling us to grow into the people You’ve created us to be. Help us to develop discipline in our daily lives, to stay teachable when You send wisdom our way, and to persevere when challenges arise. Give us the strength to take the next step, even when it’s hard, and remind us that You are shaping us through every season. May we seek You first in all things and trust that the growth we invest in today will bear fruit in Your perfect timing. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
