You are reading this because you want to grow. Often the very situations we pray to be relieved from are the very situations that God is using for our transformation. The reality is that iron sharpens iron but never without friction. A pearl is formed through irritation. A diamond is formed through pressure. Precious metals are purified through fire. A pottery vessel must go in the oven before it ever ends up on anyone’s shelf. Time under tension is how muscle is built. Muscle is built by muscle being broken and then the muscle receiving time for recovery. All of these examples are examples of how God grows his people.

“Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.” (Psalms 4:1 KJV) Here David says you have enlarged me through distress. He didn’t say that God sent the distress. The scripture says that God enlarged David when he was in distress. If you are going through something, grow through it. The time under tension is meant to strengthen you by showing you your weakness. If you are going to receive God’s strength you must first have a revelation of your weakness. God’s strength is for those who know they are weak. Remember the scripture says,“let the weak say, I am strong.” God uses distress, sorrow, anguish, tribulation, and even trouble to grow us. In fact God uses suffering to settle us. When the roots of a tree are settled the tree becomes stronger. God is strengthening you through the struggle.