Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 reminds us, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” There are times in life when it feels as though we’re swimming upstream—isolated, uncertain, and lacking the comfort and stability we deeply desire. These moments often mark the beginning of a season of growth—a time that feels hidden or unclear but is filled with purpose beneath the surface.

This season can be likened to a season of being planted. Just as a seed is buried beneath the soil, tucked away in darkness with no clear sign of the sun, we can also find ourselves in places where comfort is distant and where the outcome of our efforts is unclear. However, just as the seed eventually breaks through the earth to reach sunlight, we can trust that this season is not without purpose. It is a time of nourishment, of growth, and ultimately, transformation.

If you’re feeling like you’re in a planted season—buried under the weight of the unknown—here are five key ways to not only endure but thrive during your season of growth.

1) Do the Necessary Work, Even When You Don’t Feel Like It

Reflection: Emotions can be valuable messengers, offering insight into how we’re doing and what we need. However, they are not always reliable guides. In seasons of growth, feelings like sadness, fear, and doubt often come to the surface. These emotions are natural responses to challenge and uncertainty, but they don’t have to determine our choices. True growth happens when we act with intention—when we show up and do the work, even when we don’t feel like it. These moments of discomfort refine our perseverance and deepen our faith.

Exercise: If there’s a task you’ve been avoiding, try breaking it into smaller, more manageable steps. Don’t wait to feel “ready.” Choose just one task today and commit to working on it for 20 minutes. You might be surprised by how your mindset shifts once you start. Take note of how completing even part of the task changes how you feel. Often, action comes before motivation.

2) Surround Yourself with People Who Share Your Vision

Reflection: The people we surround ourselves with deeply impact our mindset, energy, and progress. In your season of growth, choose to be around those who see your potential, speak life into your goals, and encourage you when the path feels long. Being around people who uplift you and share your values can help you stay focused and aligned. On the other hand, people who plant seeds of doubt or discouragement can slow your momentum or cloud your sense of purpose.

Exercise: Take inventory of your closest relationships. Who speaks life into you? Who encourages you to keep going, even when things feel hard? Who shares your values and reminds you of what you’re working toward? Write down the five people you interact with most frequently. Reflect on what you appreciate about them and consider ways you might invest more deeply in those connections. Look for opportunities to show gratitude, offer support in return, or simply spend more meaningful time together. Strong, supportive relationships are essential during your season of growth—they help you stay grounded, motivated, and hopeful.

3) Embrace a Balanced View in Your Season of Growth

Reflection: Growth often requires a wide-angle lens. The past helps us reflect on how far we’ve come and the lessons we’ve learned. The present is where our effort and attention are most needed. The future holds hope and helps us stay motivated. Keeping a balanced view of all three grounds us. It prevents us from being stuck in regret, overwhelmed by the present, or anxious about what’s to come. Each season of life serves a purpose in God’s larger story for us.

Exercise: Set aside time each day to reflect on your past, present, and future. Write down one meaningful lesson from the past, one challenge you’re working through right now, and one hope or dream you’re holding for the future. Keep this reflection visible as a reminder of how God is moving in every season—past, present, and future.

4) Practice Gratitude Daily

Reflection: Gratitude doesn’t require everything to be perfect. In fact, it’s often most powerful when life is uncertain. Choosing to focus on what we do have, rather than what we lack, can dramatically shift our outlook. Gratitude strengthens emotional resilience and helps us reframe challenges. Neuroscience shows that regularly practicing gratitude activates areas of the brain associated with emotional regulation, making it easier to remain grounded and hopeful (Zhou & Bower, 2014).

Exercise: Start a simple gratitude practice. Each day, write down at least three things you’re thankful for, no matter how small. A kind text message, a warm cup of coffee, a breath of fresh air—these moments matter. Practicing gratitude doesn’t mean ignoring hardship; it means choosing to see God’s goodness in the midst of it.

5) Keep Your Vision Alive in the Darkness

Reflection: A seed doesn’t break through the soil overnight. Growth takes time, and it’s often invisible before it’s undeniable. Keeping a clear and compelling vision alive helps you endure the hard days and maintain your momentum. When your vision is rooted in faith, it becomes your anchor. It reminds you why you started and encourages you to keep pressing forward during your season of growth.

Exercise: Write down your vision—whether it’s a personal goal, a calling, a prayer, or a dream you’re nurturing—and place it somewhere you’ll see it often. Revisit it regularly, especially on days when doubt creeps in. Pray over it, reflect on it, and let it ground you. Your planted season may feel quiet and hidden, but growth is still happening beneath the surface.

In your season of growth, remember this: you are not buried—you are being prepared. Growth is a sacred process, one that unfolds gradually, with intention and grace. Though the path may feel unclear, trust that God is at work in the unseen places. Lean into these five principles, and you’ll not only survive this season—you’ll thrive.

Keep going. The best is yet to come.

References

Christakis, N. A., & Fowler, J. H. (2007). The spread of obesity in a large social network over 32 years. The New England Journal of Medicine, 357(4), 370–379. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMsa066082

Zhou, Q., & Bower, G. H. (2014). Gratitude and positive emotions: The role of the brain in the emotional effects of gratitude. Emotion, 14(5), 789.