Christian Living: Spiritual Growth , How Do We Mature in Faith During Difficult Seasons?

Hey there. If you’re reading this on a front porch in Memphis, during a lunch break downtown, or while catching your breath somewhere far from home, I want you to know something right out of the gate: you aren’t "stuck."

We often think spiritual growth looks like a steady climb up a sunny mountain. We expect our faith to feel like a series of wins: clear answers to prayer, a constant sense of joy, and a heart that’s always light. But then life happens. A diagnosis comes in, a relationship fractures, or the weight of the world just feels too heavy to carry. Suddenly, the "sunny mountain" feels like a distant memory, and you find yourself in a valley where the air is thick and the path is unclear.

You might be asking, "How am I supposed to grow when I can barely get through the day?"

Here is the direct answer: Spiritual maturity isn’t measured by how high you can jump in the good times, but by how deeply you can lean on Jesus in the hard ones. Difficult seasons aren't interruptions to your spiritual growth; they are often the very soil where your roots grow deepest.

The Pain of the "Silent" Season

It’s one thing to talk about faith when the sun is shining, but it’s a whole different story when you feel like you’re walking through a storm that just won't quit. Many of us feel a unique kind of spiritual pain during hardship: the pain of feeling forgotten by God.

You pray, but it feels like the ceiling is made of lead. You read your Bible, but the words feel dry. You see other people posting about their "blessings," and you wonder why your season feels more like a desert. This leads to a dangerous lie: the idea that because you aren't "happy," you must be doing something wrong.

But if we look at the life of Jesus and the heroes of faith throughout Scripture, we see that the valley is a sacred space. It’s where the fluff is stripped away and the foundation is tested. If you feel weak, exhausted, or even a little bit lost today, you are in the perfect position for God to do a work in you that comfort could never accomplish.

Here are five biblical ways to mature in your faith when the season is difficult.

1. Finding God in the Low Places (His Presence)

We often think we have to find our way back to God when we’re in a valley, as if He only lives on the mountaintops. But the Psalmist tells us something different in one of the most famous passages in history.

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” : Psalm 23:4

The valley isn’t a place where God is absent; it’s a place where His presence becomes more personal. In the "green pastures," we see His provision. In the "darkest valley," we experience His person. Maturity begins when we stop asking "Why am I here?" and start asking "Who is here with me?"

God’s presence doesn't always feel like a warm fuzzy feeling. Sometimes, it’s just the quiet strength to take the next breath. It’s the "rod and staff" that keep you from wandering off the edge when you’re blinded by tears. Maturity is learning to trust His promise over your perception. He said He would never leave you (Hebrews 13:5), and He is a Man of His word.

2. The Quiet Strength of Staying Put (Endurance)

In our fast-paced world, we want to fix things immediately. If we’re in pain, we want a pill. If we’re in a hard season, we want an exit strategy. But spiritual maturity often requires the one thing we hate most: endurance.

James 1:2-4 gives us a perspective that feels almost upside down: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Notice that maturity is the result of perseverance. You can’t get to "mature and complete" by skipping the "testing" part. Endurance isn't just about "gritting your teeth" and white-knuckling it through life. It’s about a patient, steady trust that God is working behind the scenes. Like a tree that grows deep roots during a drought to find water, your soul is being pushed to find its sustenance in Jesus alone.

3. Lean on the Digital Front Porch (The Role of Community)

When we’re going through a hard time, our instinct is often to pull back. We hide our struggles because we don’t want to be a "burden" or because we’re embarrassed that we don’t have it all together. But isolation is the enemy of maturity.

Hebrews 10:24-25 tells us: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.”

Growth happens best in the context of community. Whether that’s a local church here in Memphis or our global family at www.boundlessonlinechurch.org, you need people who can hold up your arms when you’re too tired to pray for yourself. Maturing in faith means realizing you weren't meant to carry the weight of the world on your own shoulders. Sometimes, the most "spiritual" thing you can do is admit you’re struggling and let someone walk with you.

4. Holy Tears: The Discipline of Lament

Many people think that "strong faith" means never crying and never questioning. But the Bible is full of something called lament. About a third of the Psalms are songs of lament: honest, raw outcries to God about pain, injustice, and sorrow.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” : Psalm 34:18

Lament is not the opposite of faith; it is a profound expression of it. It’s taking your pain to God instead of running from Him with it. When you lament, you are saying, "God, this hurts, and I believe You are the only one who can handle my honesty."

Jesus Himself lamented in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the Cross. If the Son of God could be honest about His sorrow, you can too. Maturing in faith means moving past "polite" prayers and entering into a raw, authentic relationship with your Creator. He can handle your questions. He can handle your tears.

5. Dropping the Anchor (Hope as a Constant)

Finally, maturing in a difficult season means learning where to drop your anchor. If your anchor is dropped in your circumstances, your bank account, or your health, you’re going to drift when the storm hits. But if your anchor is dropped in the character of God, you will stand firm.

Hebrews 6:19 calls hope “an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.”

This isn't a "wishful thinking" kind of hope. It’s a "know-so" kind of hope. It’s the confidence that even if the worst happens, God is still good, He is still on His throne, and He still has the final word. Hope doesn't mean the storm stops; it means the storm can't sink you. Maturity is the ability to say, "I don't know what tomorrow holds, but I know who holds tomorrow."

Practical Steps for Your Week

Growth doesn't happen by accident. Here are a few small things you can do this week to keep moving forward:

• Be Honest: Spend five minutes in prayer today just being completely honest with God about how you feel. No "churchy" language required.

• Reach Out: Send a text to a friend or join an online small group at www.boundlessonlinechurch.org. Don't walk this valley alone.

• Scripture Soak: Pick one verse from this post and write it on a sticky note. Put it where you'll see it: on your mirror, your dashboard, or your laptop.

• Look for the "Glimmers": Even in the darkest season, God leaves "glimmers" of His grace: a kind word from a stranger, a beautiful sunset, or a moment of peace. Train your eyes to look for them.

A Prayer for the Valley

Lord, I thank You that You are the God of the mountains and the God of the valleys. Right now, things feel heavy. I feel tired, and I feel like I’m stuck. But I trust Your Word that says You are near to the brokenhearted. Help me to stop trying to escape this season and start looking for what You want to teach me in it. Strengthen my endurance, give me the courage to be honest with You, and remind me that I am never alone. Be my anchor today. In Jesus' name, Amen.

You Belong Here

No matter where you are in your journey: whether you’re a long-time believer or you’re just starting to wonder if God is real: Boundless Online Church is here for you. We are a digital front porch where you can find rest, community, and the truth of Jesus Christ 24/7.

You don't have to have it all figured out to be part of this family. We invite you to join us for a live-streamed service, jump into a virtual Bible study, or reach out for prayer anytime. We are based in Memphis, and that warm, welcoming heartbeat is part of who we are, but our heart is for the world.

You are seen. You are loved. And you are definitely not alone.

Come grow with us at www.boundlessonlinechurch.org.

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Boundless Online Church Website:www.boundlessonlinechurch.org Prayer Line: (901) 213-7341 (Text prayers 24/7) Emergency Protocol: If you are experiencing a spiritual or mental health emergency, please contact your local emergency services or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. Staff Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM CST. Ministry Statement: Boundless Online Church is a ministry of FA Memphis.

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