Stretching: pushing yourself past the point of comfort in order to attain a new level.

Is God asking you to do something that is slightly outside of your comfort zone past the point of knowing you can accomplish it in your own strength?

Maybe it’s an area you’re unfamiliar with; maybe it means confronting fears and insecurities. This is a stretching point in your life! There are times in your walk with God when He wants to grow you and use you in new ways, but you have to be willing to be stretched!

If you’ve ever stretched sore muscles, you know stretching isn't always pleasant! In these moments, we are confronted with the option to settle for what is comfortable or to press on toward what Christ has for us! James 1:2-4 reminds us that it's in the perseverance of our faith that we mature! Persevering is uncomfortable!

Stretching requires a new level of dependency on Him and a trust beyond our own capabilities.

"Now all glory to God who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." Ephesians 3:20

God wants to accomplish things in you and through you that are beyond you. This requires stretching! One version of Ephesians 3:20 says God's plans are exceedingly and abundantly above that which you can hope or imagine! God is at work within you; yield to that work He is preparing you for the next stage of your life. What God has next for you is beyond your wildest dreams!

So remember today, whether you are adapting to a new phase of life or believing God for the next step of his plan--embrace the stretching! It's in that place that He provides fresh grace and takes you to deeper levels of maturity in your faith. His power is made perfect in your weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Embrace the stretching point!