Lately, I’ve been navigating a season that feels like uncharted territory. New relationships, fresh opportunities, and avenues I never thought I’d explore are all colliding at once. It sounds exciting, but the truth is, it’s been hard to find my footing. I’m realizing that growth isn’t just about expanding—it’s also about confronting the parts of yourself you’d rather keep buried.
We often hear about the beauty of transformation, the promise of “new beginnings,” but we rarely talk about the process—the tearing down before the rebuilding. God has a way of pulling back the curtain on the things we thought we’d hidden well. Those insecurities, the doubts, the wounds we’ve tried to patch up with busyness or pride—He will bring them to the surface. Not to shame us, but to make us whole.
Right now, I’m in that messy middle. I feel exposed, unsure, and vulnerable. There are days when I’m excited for what’s ahead, and there are days when I want to shrink back into the comfort of what I’ve known. When God begins to reveal the “dirtiest secrets and hidden places,” it can be jarring. But maybe it’s necessary. Maybe He’s calling me to a deeper level of accountability—not just to myself but to the calling He’s placed on my life.
Faith has always been talked about as a source of strength, but I’m learning that it can also be a battleground. To truly trust God means letting go of control, embracing the discomfort of not knowing, and accepting that the pruning process is just as crucial as the harvest. Faith means believing that the exposure isn’t meant to destroy me—it’s meant to heal me.
The pruning process—the cutting away of what is no longer useful—hurts. It can feel like loss, but I’m beginning to understand that it’s also a gift. Pruning isn’t punishment; it’s preparation. God isn’t content to let us live in a shell of our potential. He stretches us, tests us, and sometimes breaks us to rebuild us stronger. Just like a gardener cuts back branches to encourage healthier growth, God removes what hinders us, even if it’s painful.
In these moments, I have to remind myself that exposure is not rejection. When God uncovers wounds and weaknesses, it’s not a sign of abandonment. It’s an invitation to healing. It’s a chance to let Him in deeper than before. There’s a difference between conviction and condemnation. Conviction leads to change, while condemnation leads to shame. God is in the business of redemption, not shame.
So here I am, making the choice to accept this season for what it is and build forward. If you’re in a similar place, just know you’re not alone. Growth is messy. Renewal hurts. But there’s purpose in the pain, and grace in the stretching. We just have to be willing to hold on, trust the process, and keep moving forward—no matter how unsteady the ground beneath us feels.
Here’s to learning, unlearning, and walking in faith, even when it’s hard. Here’s to trusting that every uncomfortable moment is a step closer to the person God is shaping us to be. Here’s to embracing the pruning, knowing that greater growth is on the other side.
This was a very good read & I can attest to being in that place before! Blessing upon you!