Embrace the Stretch: Finding God in Life’s Tensions

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23

We’ve all been there—wishing life’s struggles could disappear with a snap of our fingers.

Julio’s toddler is pushing all the limits. Mari can’t seem to get out of bed for Bible reading, and Sasha’s joy fades with every step of his long walk to work. Each of these everyday struggles may feel overwhelming or frustrating, but they don’t have to be meaningless. In fact, God works in these very challenges, these stretching moments. It’s in life’s tensions that God invites us to rely on His strength. He invites us to learn to live, not in our own ability but in His power.

Here’s the truth: Just like an athlete stretches muscles to allow for more movement, God uses tensions in our lives to enable a new way of living. This new way of living is a supernatural one because it’s lived through the power of His Holy Spirit.

Growth happens when we cry out to the Holy Spirit for help, trusting Him to strengthen us. The Bible says, “The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). Are you being stretched in patience? Is self-control or discipline your challenge? Need more joy when you’re inclined to complain? These struggles aren’t just obstacles to avoid—they’re opportunities for God’s Spirit to transform us into people who are more Jesus-like.

Be encouraged in the difficult or irritating place you find yourself today. When you follow Jesus, the Holy Spirit’s power is yours. When you embrace the stretching God is allowing and ask for His power, that’s a prayer He answers! When we say yes to Him, He does the work.

Where is God inviting you to a new way of living?