Growing Through the Stretch: Embracing the Discomfort of Growth
Growth sounds inspiring, but let’s be honest—it doesn’t always feel good.
Whether we’re building stronger muscles, stepping into a new season, or confronting internal wounds, growth brings discomfort. Just like sore muscles after a workout, personal and professional growth often involves pain, rest, and trust in the process. But with intentionality and persistence, growth becomes one of the most rewarding journeys we can take.
The Biology of Growth: Pain with Purpose
When you exercise, your muscles undergo small tears. The body responds by repairing these tears, making the muscles stronger than before. This is known as muscle hypertrophy (Schoenfeld, 2010). The growth happens not during the workout, but during the recovery process.
Similarly, emotional and spiritual growth often occurs after a period of stretching, breaking, and resting. We rarely grow when we’re comfortable. God uses the process of growth to refine us and prepare us for greater capacity.
My Growth Story: From Fear to Authorship
Right now, I’m in a season of growth. The journey to publish my first book, Prescriptions & Prayers: Healing from Childhood Trauma and Guidance for First-Generation Minority Medical Students (coming Sept. 6, 2025), has brought both deep joy and deep stretching.
There have been tears. Late nights. Doubts. Prayers whispered in the dark. But there's also been a surge of purpose, healing, and clarity. Every page written and every revision made has pushed me closer to the woman God is calling me to be.
I'm not just writing a book—I'm becoming.
What Growth Looks Like
Growth is not always flashy. Sometimes it looks like:
Saying "no" to good things so you can say "yes" to what God is calling you to
Sitting in silence long enough to hear what your heart has been trying to say
Doing the hard work of therapy, coaching, or journaling
Trusting God even when the outcome is unclear
Practical Steps for Navigating Growth
Acknowledge the Pain: Don’t ignore it, but process it. Growth hurts.
Rest Well: Just like muscles, your spirit and mind need recovery.
Stay Consistent: Keep showing up. Keep pressing forward.
Surround Yourself with Encouragement: Community is key. Surrounding yourself with sincere and uplifting people are a breath of fresh air to the soul.
Surrender the Outcome: Growth and outcomes are God’s domain. Your job is to obey.
A Final Word of Encouragement
Friend, growth isn’t easy, but it is worth it. Whether you’re in the middle of healing, launching something new, or trying to stay faithful in the mundane, you’re not alone. We grow stronger, wiser, and more aligned with our purpose each time we lean into the stretch.
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References
Schoenfeld, B. J. (2010). The mechanisms of muscle hypertrophy and their application to resistance training. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 24(10), 2857-2872. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181e840f3
Willard, D. (2002). Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ. NavPress.
