By HOLLY Ogden

22

July HeartBeat

SHAPED BY GOD are in a growth process. Let that sink in for a moment: we are in a growth process. When I think back to watching my daughters grow, I remember the joy of milestones reached with ease, but also the nights when growing pains took over. They would cry out in pain, and I would sit beside them, rubbing their tender legs, trying to ease their discomfort. I longed to take away their pain, but I knew they had to push through it. And you know what? Not once during those painful moments did my girls question whether I loved them. They didn’ t wonder if I had abandoned them. They knew I was there— with them, comforting, praying, and showing compassion.

The day we accepted Christ, we surrendered our lives into the hands of a loving God and invited His Spirit to begin a transformation within us. Sometimes, this growth happens quietly— things just feel a little different, even exciting and new. Other times, it’ s painful and overwhelming. But just like I was there for my daughters, God is with us in our pain. He has not abandoned us. He reminds us again and again in His Word that He will never leave or forsake us. He is with us until the end of the age. He has sent the Holy Spirit to help guide us.

Still, in the midst of pain and confusion, it can be difficult to remember these truths.

As followers of Christ, we are

called to spend time in Scripture, to seek out God’ s truth and plant it deeply in our hearts. When we are saved, the Word of God comes alive in us— breathing new life and bringing a sense of clarity and purpose. In those early days, reading the Bible may feel natural and uplifting. But then, life hits hard. The enemy sends arrows aimed at old wounds, tempting us to question our salvation, our identity, and our worth— not only to God, but to the people around us.

The pain is real. It makes sense. Scripture warns us that the enemy is cunning and knows exactly where we’ re weak. Hebrews 5:8( NLT) says,“ Even though Jesus was God’ s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered.” Let that settle in— Jesus suffered. Jesus learned obedience. He was in a growth process too. In His pain, He turned to the Father and walked in obedience. God gives us the same opportunity. He invites us to seek Him in our struggles and follow His lead in how to fight our battles:“ For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places”( Ephesians 6:12, NLT).

Throughout Scripture, we see God’ s people facing battles— some won through worship, others through hand-to-hand combat, marching, or simply standing firm.

The common thread in each story is this: the people sought God first and obeyed His instructions. Fear was often present. Pain, too. But God never abandoned them. He proved Himself faithful and, in His perfect timing, sent Jesus to break the chains of sin and death. When Jesus ascended to Heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit to guide us with wisdom and truth.

We must seek Him in our pain. We must choose His way over our own understanding. As we surrender our will to His, our spirits are shaped, and we grow. We become the men and women God has called for this moment in history, walking in His will and fulfilling His purpose.

In 1 Corinthians 15:9-10a( NLT), Paul writes:“ For I am the least of all the apostles. In fact, I’ m not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God’ s church. But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me— and not without results.”

Paul did terrible things before encountering Christ. He thought he knew God’ s will so well that he persecuted those who followed Jesus. That conviction led him to do great harm. When I look at my own life, I sometimes wonder: How many people have I hurt— spiritually, emotionally, or verbally— because I was so sure of my own way? The thought brings anguish to my heart. I’ m deeply sorry for the damage I’ ve caused, even when I meant

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