Christian Living: Why Does Spiritual Growth Feel Like Tension?

If you’ve ever tried to drive across the Hernando de Soto Bridge during rush hour, you know what tension feels like. It’s that tight, pulling sensation of being stuck between where you are and where you need to be. In Memphis, we’re used to the heavy humidity and the slow pace of a Southern summer, but when it comes to our spiritual lives, we usually want things to move a lot faster.

We often think that if we are following Jesus, life should feel like a smooth ride down a repaved highway. We assume that peace means the absence of pressure. But then the week hits. The kids are sick, the shift at the hospital is grueling, the bills are due, and suddenly you feel like you’re being stretched to your absolute breaking point.

You might ask yourself: If I’m growing in my faith, why does everything feel so hard?

The truth is that spiritual growth rarely happens in the "easy." It happens in the tension.

The Pain of the Stretch

Most of us view tension as a sign that something is wrong. We feel the weight of a difficult season and assume we’ve done something to step out of God’s will. We feel the "pull" of a transition, a new job, a move, or a healing process, and we mistake the discomfort for defeat.

When you’re a caregiver looking after an aging parent, or a shift worker trying to find time for prayer between doubles, the tension is real. It’s exhausting. You might feel like you’re failing because you don't have the "mountain-top" experiences you see on social media. But here is the pastoral truth: Tension is not your enemy. It is the very environment where God does His best work.

5 Ways Tension Builds a Faith That Lasts

1. Tension Builds Spiritual Muscle

Just like an athlete has to put their muscles under tension to grow stronger, your faith requires resistance to develop. When life is easy, your "trust muscles" can become soft. It’s in the moments when you don’t know how the month's rent will be paid, or how a relationship will be mended, that you are forced to lean on God’s strength rather than your own.

2. The Wait is Never Wasted Time

In our "on-demand" world, we hate waiting. But in the Kingdom of God, the "wait" is a workspace. While you are waiting for a prayer to be answered or a door to open, God is working in you. He is developing patience, humility, and a deeper hunger for His presence. The tension of the wait ensures that when the blessing comes, you have the character to carry it.

3. Roots Grow Deepest Under Pressure

Botanists tell us that trees in high-wind areas often have deeper root systems than those in sheltered valleys. Why? Because the wind creates tension that forces the tree to dig deeper into the soil for stability. When the winds of life blow against you, they are actually pushing your roots deeper into the Word of God. You are becoming unshakeable.

4. Peace is Found in the Pressure, Not the Absence of It

Jesus didn’t promise a life without storms; He promised peace in the storm. True spiritual maturity is the ability to have a quiet heart while the world around you is loud. Tension teaches you that your peace isn't tied to your circumstances, it’s tied to the Person of Jesus Christ.

5. Faith is Forged in the "In-Between"

Most of life happens in the middle. We aren't always on the mountain, and we aren't always in the valley; we are often in the tension of the "not yet." This in-between space is where real faith is forged. It’s where you decide to trust God even when you can’t see the finish line.

Practical Steps to Handle the Tension

If you feel stretched thin today, don't pull away from God. Lean into Him. Here are three simple ways to handle the stretch:

• Audit Your Input: If you are feeling overwhelmed, turn off the 24-hour news cycle and turn on a worship playlist or a podcast. We recommend the Boundless Bible Study Podcast available at www.boundlessonlinechurch.org for a dose of truth during your commute.

• Find Your People: You weren't meant to carry the tension alone. Join an online small group at www.boundlessonlinechurch.org. There are people who understand exactly what you’re going through.

• Pray the Tension: Instead of asking God to "take it away," ask Him, "What are You building in me through this?"

A Prayer for the Stretched Soul

Heavenly Father, I feel the pull today. I feel the weight of my responsibilities and the uncertainty of my future. Thank You that You are with me in the tension. Help me to trust that this pressure is producing something beautiful in me. Deepen my roots, strengthen my resolve, and remind me that I am never alone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

You Are Not Alone

Whether you’re in Memphis, across the United States, or anywhere in the world, Boundless Online Church is here for you. We provide 24/7 prayer support because we know that life doesn't just happen on Sunday mornings. If you need someone to stand with you in the gap, reach out for prayer at www.boundlessonlinechurch.org.

You are seen. You are loved. And even in the tension, God is growing you into who He called you to be.

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