Christian Living: Why Is Growing in Faith So Hard? 5 Proven Steps to Mature Spiritually During Your Toughest Season

If you feel like your faith is under fire right now, you aren't doing it wrong, you’re likely right in the middle of a divine process.

Growing in faith feels hard because it was never meant to happen in a vacuum of comfort; it happens in the heat of real life. In Memphis, we know something about heat. We know that the same sun that bakes the pavement can also bring a harvest to the delta. In the same way, the trials you are facing today aren't there to destroy you. They are there to develop you.

At Boundless Online Church, we see people every day who are struggling with this very question. Whether you are homebound, working a night shift, or just feeling spiritually stuck in your own living room, the struggle to grow is universal. But here is the good news: you don't have to stay stuck.

The Pain of the "Stuck" Season

Maybe you’ve been praying for a breakthrough that hasn't come yet. Maybe you feel like God is a thousand miles away, or like the "Beale Street blues" have settled into your soul and won't leave. You might even feel guilty, like a "good Christian" shouldn't feel this tired or this doubtful.

The pain of a tough season is that it exposes our weaknesses. It shows us where our "auto-pilot" faith isn't enough to carry us through the storm. When the bills are piling up, when the doctor's report is heavy, or when loneliness feels like a physical weight, simple Sunday school answers don't seem to cut it anymore.

You aren't losing your faith. You are outgrowing your current level of it.

Step 1: Embrace the Refining Fire

One of the most powerful themes in Scripture is the idea of the Refining Fire.

In Malachi 3:3, the Bible says, "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver."

Notice that the refiner doesn't just throw the silver into the fire and walk away. He sits there. He stays close. He watches the temperature. He knows exactly when the impurities, the dross, rise to the surface so he can skim them off.

In your life, the "heat" you are feeling might be God refining you. He is burning away the things you used to rely on so that the only thing left is pure trust in Him. It’s uncomfortable, and it hurts, but the result is a faith that is "more precious than gold" (1 Peter 1:7).

If you are in the fire today, know that the Refiner hasn't left the room. He is sitting right there with you.

Step 2: Make the "No Bowing Down" Resolve

When life gets hard, the pressure to "bow down" to something else is immense. We are tempted to bow down to fear, to bow down to our own coping mechanisms, or to bow down to the culture’s way of handling stress.

Think about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3. They were told to bow down to an idol or face a fiery furnace. Their response is one of the most mature statements of faith in the entire Bible:

"If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it... But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up" (Daniel 3:17-18).

Mature faith says, "I trust God to deliver me, but even if He does not in the way I expect, I will not bow down to despair."

Spiritual growth happens when you decide that your loyalty to Jesus isn't dependent on your circumstances. It’s about standing tall when everyone else is caving in. You can find the strength to stand by connecting with others who are doing the same at www.boundlessonlinechurch.org.

Step 3: Stay Rooted in Truth, Not Just Emotion

In Memphis, we’ve seen the Mississippi River rise and fall. If you built your house based on how the river felt that day, you’d be in trouble. You have to build on the high ground, the solid ground.

Your emotions will lie to you during a tough season. They will tell you that God has forgotten you or that you aren't "spiritual enough." This is why Step 3 is staying rooted in the Word of God.

• Read the Psalms: They are the "honest prayers" of people who were hurting just like you.

• Memorize Promises: When fear whispers, talk back with Scripture.

• Listen to Teachings: Dive into the on-demand sermons at www.boundlessonlinechurch.org to keep your mind focused on what is true.

Spiritual maturity is learning to let Truth drive the car while your emotions sit in the backseat. They can go for the ride, but they don't get to hold the steering wheel.

Step 4: Seek Community in the Shadows

Growing in faith is a "we" thing, not an "i" thing.

When you are going through a hard time, the enemy’s first goal is to isolate you. He wants you to think you’re the only one struggling. But isolation is the enemy of growth.

Even if you can't get to a physical building, you can find community. At Boundless Online Church, we’ve built digital small groups and virtual Bible studies specifically for people in your shoes. Whether you are in Memphis, Tennessee, or halfway across the world, you don't have to walk through the fire alone.

Real growth happens when you have a "Boundless Prayer Partner" or a small group checking in on you. You can join a group today at www.boundlessonlinechurch.org.

Step 5: Practice Daily Obedience (The "Next Step" Rule)

Sometimes we think spiritual growth means doing something huge for God. But usually, it just means doing the next right thing He asked you to do.

In a tough season, you might not have the energy for a 2-hour prayer session. That’s okay. Can you pray for 5 minutes? Can you be kind to the person at the grocery store? Can you choose not to complain today?

Obedience is the fuel of growth. James 1:22 tells us to be "doers of the word, and not hearers only."

When you choose to obey God in the small, hard moments, you are building spiritual muscle. You are proving to yourself, and to the world, that your faith is real.

A Prayer for Your Season

Lord, I thank You that You are the Refiner. Even when the heat is high, I trust that You are close. Help me to stand firm and not bow down to fear or despair. Root me in Your truth and lead me to the community I need. I choose to take the next faithful step today. Amen.

You Are Not Alone

Growing in faith is hard because it’s a transformation. A caterpillar doesn't become a butterfly without a struggle in the dark. But on the other side of that struggle is a beauty and a strength you never knew you had.

If you need someone to stand with you, or if you’re looking for a place where you can grow at your own pace without judgment, we are here. At Boundless Online Church, we are more than just a live stream; we are a family.

Join the Conversation: What is one "small step" of obedience you can take today? Share it with our community or request prayer at www.boundlessonlinechurch.org.

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Boundless Online Church Website:www.boundlessonlinechurch.org Prayer Line: Find 24/7 prayer support at www.boundlessonlinechurch.org Emergency Protocol: If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency or a mental health crisis, please call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 immediately. Staff Hours: Our digital ministry team is available for chat and support Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM CST. Ministry Statement: Boundless Online Church is a ministry of FA Memphis. We are based in Memphis, Tennessee, and serve the world.