1. GROWING PAINS Blame or Gain?
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
(Jas 1:2-4)

2. Growing Pains Trials will come, but there can be profit
Opportunity for GREAT JOY!
Suffering can produce deep maturity

3. Foul or Fair Weather Believers?
Growing Pains
Foul or Fair Weather Believers?
For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. We give great honour to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.
(Jas 5:10-11)

4. Growing Pains Know your enemy Accountable to God
Can only be in one place at a time
Can’t see into our minds or into the future
Needs God’s permission to touch God’s people
Under limitations set by God

5. Growing Pains Soul must be in prosperity Unshakeable faith
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
(1 Pet 5:8)

6. Growing Pains
For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.
(Jer 17:8)

7. Hope Through Sacrifice
Growing Pains
Hope Through Sacrifice
Hope will win through
You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
(1 Pet 2:5)
Count it all joy!

8. Growing Pains Evaluate where we are! what brought us to this point?
What are we learning from it?
What will it take for us to Gain?
Are we Foul Weather Believers?
Hope is at hand!