Growth Experiences

What experiences in life helped you grow the most?

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭18‬

I think the three experiences that helped me grow the most were:

1) Becoming a teenage parent – I was raised watching my nephews, nieces, and cousins, I was responsible with a wild streak. Becoming a mom made me really focus on not going places it would not be appropriate to take a child. She also helped me realize the world didn’t revolve around me. The youngest of five, while I knew there were things I was left out of, my older relatives often catered to me. A new baby didn’t, so I learned to put others needs before my own except when people let me get away with being the princess.

2) The death of my parents – I was twenty when I lost my dad and almost 40 when I lost my mom. My dad’s death rocked my world and I spiraled downward. When I climbed out of the hole, I started college and got my life moving forward. Although I anticipated spiraling downward with my mom’s death, having a closer relationship with God, her death drew me closer to Him.

3) Getting fired – This one took me by surprise. I had been warned by in the spirit and in the natural, but ignored it. It was a humbling experience that really had me questioning many things. I wanted to defend myself because what I was accused of doing was an attack on my character and completely untrue. The motive of it was clear as more details came out. God grew me through that as I allowed Him to be my defender and my provider. I spent the next three months seeking Him like I never had before while I awaited my next position. Instead of arranging my time with Him based on work, I built my work schedule around my time with Him. He was my priority. While I admit I still need to grow in this area, that time creates the desire in me.

These are all areas where suffering was included, but I believe my suffering has been used for His purpose and glory. He may not have caused any of it, but God used it for my good.