Growing Pains

“It’s okay baby girl. Mommy is right here. I’ve got you and I’m not going anywhere.”, I say soothingly to my teething 3 month old little one. Nothing is taking her pain away. She bites on anything that she can get a hold of to try and relieve the pain, but it is just not enough. Nothing I can do can take away the pain she is experiencing right now. I can hold her, comfort her and give her some pain reliever, but in order for her grow properly, she needs to endure this pain. The end justifies the means, because with teeth she will be able to enjoy her food, smile brightly and articulate her words. It’s all part of the process.

I have never fully understood the depth of the Father’s love for me until I became a parent. I think that’s only the tip of the iceberg. Our tiny little human minds cannot fathom the scope of it because I think they would literally explode at the magnitude. We have to watch them grow and learn. To be honest, I find it more painful to walk with them through it than experiencing it for myself! Many times I have cried out to the Lord, “Give it to me! Give me their pain! Protect them from this!”, but how would they grow? How would they become the people that God desires them to be (physically, spiritually, emotionally) if they don’t go through the pain?

Listen girls, I have been to the pit of HELL in my life with trials and pain. It felt like a figurative boxing match. I felt so broken and beaten (not physically, just to be clear!) that I could not handle one more round. And then the bell rings for the next. Punch after sucker punch would try to defeat me. I can remember laying prostrate on my kitchen floor, tapping out and screaming at God “Why are you doing this? Please stop! I can’t endure this pain! I give up! I surrender it all to You! All of it! I don’t need to be in control anymore–You do it so much better!”  And then in His still small voice he says to me “It’s okay baby girl. I’m right here. I’ve got you and I’m not going anywhere. I know your pain. I have experienced it ALL and I gave it ALL so that you don’t have to be afraid. You CAN trust me.”

Satan does NOT get to win!

Isaiah 43:2 says, “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.” (NLT)

The perfect peace that comes from fully submitting yourself to Him is indescribable. I’m so grateful for where I am today because of the growing pains that I had to endure. My heart is different now. I know that I can fully trust in Him and He desires the best for me in my life, BUT I have to let him lead.

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)

Sometimes, He doesn’t change our circumstance(s) because He wants to change our hearts. Growing of any sort hurts. When you are staring down the pit, don’t for one second forget who your Daddy is.

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. See, all your angry enemies lie there, confused and humiliated. Anyone who opposes you will die and come to nothing. You will look in vain for those who tried to conquer you. Those who attack you will come to nothing. For I hold you by your right hand—I, the LORD your God. And I say to you, Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.” Isaiah 41:10-13 (NLT)

Remember these precious words from my older daughter (then three), “Don’t worry. God’s got it!”

And He does. He ALWAYS does.

John 13:7 “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.” (NLT)

Love,

Diane

Diane Haupt is a stay-at-home wife and mother and serves on the board of directors for The Connection. She is a fellow sinner saved by the grace of God and is an active member of LCBC Church in Waynesboro, PA where she serves on the worship team. She has a passionate desire given by the Holy Spirit to mentor and disciple other women.  You can email her at connectingwomenwithgod@gmail.com.