Growing Pains | Nick Nilson | Bible Study Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

Growing Pains

Nick Nilson

Lakewood Church • Nov 4, 2026 • 30 min

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Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

Discomfort, obstacles, and hard seasons are often spiritual growing pains that God uses to develop our internal endurance and faith. Rather than praying only for God to remove difficult circumstances, believers can shift their perspective to grow through struggles, knowing that God easily restores any damage and uses every piece of life for good. By surrounding ourselves with safe, truth-speaking community and maintaining the peace and aroma of Christ, we allow God to mature us into who He has called us to be.

Themes

Spiritual GrowthPerseverance in TrialsPerspective and FaithGod's Sovereignty and RedemptionWise Community and Relationships

Key Points

1.
Hard times and discomfort can be clear indicators that God is actively developing and maturing us spiritually.
2.
True spiritual growth happens in the valley of trials rather than only during mountain top moments of success.
3.
Pain does not automatically produce spiritual maturity; growth depends on our perspective and maintaining faith in God through the trial.
4.
Just as a butterfly requires the pressure of squeezing through a narrow cocoon to develop its wings to fly, believers need struggle to develop spiritual strength.
5.
God easily restores the damage caused by difficult seasons, but the enemy can never undo the internal spiritual development produced through struggle.
6.
Isolating a painful season or single disappointing piece of life makes it seem meaningless, but God promises to work every piece together for good.
7.
Pain can dilute our discernment and tempt us to share wounds with unsafe people, making it essential to find a healthy partner who points us to Jesus.
8.
Jesus carried a beautiful aroma even while enduring deep suffering and persecution, showing that true spiritual maturity means not smelling like what you are walking through.

Sermon Moments

“The doctor explaining that teenage leg aches were simply growing pains, illustrating that discomfort naturally accompanies physical and spiritual development.”

“The illustration of a butterfly squeezing through a tight cocoon opening, where the pressure forces fluid into its wings so it can fly in the next season.”

“Paul asking God three times to remove the thorn in his flesh, while God used the struggle to deepen Paul's prayer life and reliance on grace.”

“The puzzle piece illustration showing how an isolated, oddly-shaped piece looks useless on its own until fitted into the complete, beautiful picture God is designing.”

“The caution that 'pain loves company' and can push believers to share their wounds with unsafe people who fuel bitterness rather than encourage healing.”

“The woman anointing Jesus with costly perfume before the cross, enabling Him to carry a beautiful fragrance even while being persecuted and mocked.”

This Week

Shift your prayer focus during difficult trials from asking God to take away the hardship to asking Him what He wants to develop within you.

Practice counting hardships as joy by consciously choosing a faithful, positive perspective rather than complaining.

Identify isolated, disappointing moments in your past and intentionally surrender them to God, trusting Him to work every piece together for good.

Evaluate your close inner circle to ensure you confide in safe, healthy partners who point you to Jesus rather than feeding bitterness.

Refuse to let painful circumstances change your character; resolve to maintain peace, joy, and kindness toward others even during hard seasons.

Establish intentional spiritual habits this summer so you do not drift spiritually during periods of rest or neutrality.

Continue worshiping, serving, and showing up faithfully at church and work even when navigating personal pain or unanswered prayers.

Remember This

Difficult seasons are not meant to destroy us, but are spiritual growing pains that God uses to develop our character and prepare us for what comes next.

A Challenge for You

Don't just go through it right now. Grow through it. Don't waste the pain. Go through it the right way with the right perspective, surrendering it to God, still trusting Him so that He can redeem it.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.