This month, my columns will be a series revolving around the theme of rooted in gratitude, growing in grace based on Colossians 2:6–7, “So, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him, rooted in him and built upon him and established in the faith as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. We begin with something many of us struggle to recognize: hidden growth. Because often, the most important work God is doing in your life is the work you cannot see. Together we will discover how God works beneath the surface to shape your faith and purpose.
When Nothing Seems to Be Changing
Have you ever felt stuck, stagnant or unseen? You’re doing the work, you’re praying and you’re trying to move forward. And yet, nothing seems to be shifting. You are not alone. Many people (even those who appear successful) feel the frustration of “no progress.” It seems no matter how hard you try or what you do differently, you find yourself wondering, Is anything actually happening? This is one of the most discouraging places to be, not because nothing is happening, but because you can’t see what is happening.
When these feelings envelop you, you need to understand that there may be more going on than you realize. And that’s where faith is stretched. Most likely, this may be a time of growth, if you let it. That doesn’t mean you just sit and wait to see what happens. It means you need to discover what is happening. Because what feels like “no progress” is often a season where God is doing His deepest work within you. God works in us when we allow Him to. Spend time in prayer and spend time talking with God. Listen to Him. What is He telling you? Do you feel a pulling toward something?
God Works Beneath the Surface
Remember that roots need to grow before the fruit can appear. In nature, we don’t question this process, but in our lives, we resist it. We are often impatient and give up before there is even a bloom to see, let alone fruit appearing. God often develops our foundation quietly:
- through conversations that shift our perspective
- through challenges that build resilience
- through moments of stillness that draw us closer to Him
Ecclesiastes 3:11 tells us that “God has made everything appropriate to its time, but has put the timeless into their hearts so they cannot find out, from beginning to end, the work which God has done.” (usccb.org) It seems mysterious, but it is referencing God’s timing and the beauty of that timing. God’s timing is not rushed, reactive or random. It is intentional. You may not understand what is happening during that present time, but when you look back, you can decipher how God was equipping you. It is then that you can see the people God placed in your life to teach you (or develop your roots). You are then able to recognize the challenges and blessings that helped to shape you. Remember that what He is building in you now is preparing you for what He will do through you later.
Why Hidden Seasons Matter
You may wonder why these hidden seasons matter. It’s natural to ask: Why does it have to be this way? Why can’t growth be obvious, visible and affirming? These are the seasons where your faith is strengthened without applause and your identity is refined without recognition. Remember, it is not about you. It is here that your dependence on God deepens without distraction. Hidden growth is not punishment. It is preparation. Also, it is where God shifts your heart before He shifts your circumstances. It is preparation for the fruit to come.
Preparing with Hidden Growth for What’s Ahead
What if this season isn’t about being stuck, but instead about being prepared? Remember that God is not delaying your purpose. He is developing you for it. He is equipping the called! What feels like waiting is often:
- alignment happening beneath the surface
- healing taking place quietly
- strength being built for what’s ahead
And if He revealed everything too soon, you might step into something you’re not yet ready to sustain. You need to have patience in God’s plan. Enjoy the time of preparation much like the sun embracing a plant before it blooms brightly.
Signs You’re Still Growing
Even if you don’t feel it, growth does leave evidence. Look closely at yourself. You may notice:
- You’re more patient than you used to be.
- You pause before reacting.
- You’re more aware of God’s presence.
- Your thoughts are shifting toward truth instead of fear.
- You’re seeking Him more intentionally.
These are not small things. These are signs that your roots are deepening. And if you are having a hard time recognizing it, start journaling or jotting things down as you recognize them. We often overlook what seems ordinary, but it is in the ordinary where extraordinary things happen. Allow your roots to grow and develop. Build your strength and deepen your faith. Allow God in to do the necessary work.
Trust the Process of Hidden Growth
Trust the process of hidden growth. It has a purpose. Remember that:
- You are not stuck, you are being rooted.
- You are not forgotten, you are being formed.
- You are not behind, you are being prepared.
- Growth that is hidden is still growth.
And in God’s perfect timing, what is being developed in the unseen will eventually bear fruit that cannot be denied. In seasons of hidden growth, God is doing more than preparing your circumstances. Know that God is shaping you. He is shaping you into the person who God created you to be, not who society is telling you to be. He is awakening your awareness of His presence, aligning your heart with His truth and preparing you to shine in ways that reflect His glory. Even here, especially here, you are becoming who He created you to be. You are becoming who He has called you to be.
Let’s pray:
Lord,
Help me trust what I cannot see.
When I feel stuck, remind me that You are still working in me.
Deepen my roots in You so that my faith is not shaken by what is seen and unseen.
Teach me to embrace the quiet seasons, knowing they are not empty, they are sacred. Help me to realize that this time is aligning me to You.
Give me patience in the waiting and confidence in Your timing.
I surrender the need to understand everything and choose to trust You fully.
Amen.
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