Growing up, I didn’t like how my elder brother pushed me. He made me study. He asked hard questions that made me uncomfortable. He stretched my thinking and habits. Today, I’m grateful. Having someone who stretched me made me better in every area of my life.
Friend, who is stretching you? When God wants to help you grow and fulfil destiny, He brings people who will place godly demands on you (Esther 4:14-16). How you respond to them will shape your future. Don’t run from those who stretch you. Stay, learn, and grow through the pressure (Acts 13:5, 13).
Most people love comfort and praise (Amos 6:1). But growth comes from people who humble you. Walk with people who look like where you’re going, not those who make you feel like a superstar. If you only sit with those below you, you will think you’ve arrived when there’s still more ahead (Joshua 13:1).
To become what God ordained, you need both cheerleaders and challengers (2 Timothy 1:5-7). Celebrators remind you how far you’ve come. They tell you’re not a failure. Challengers show you there’s more in you. They draw out capacity and greatness you didn’t know you had (Philemon 1:6).
Your life will not exceed the capacity of your mind (Proverbs 23:7). So surround yourself with people who stretch you mentally. Have conversations that make you think deeper and better. Avoid people who only entertain you. Read books that stretch you. Engage materials that make you sober and reflective (Psalm 39:3).
No matter where you are or what you’ve done, you can still be more (Isaiah 54:1-3). You can pray more. Study more. Give more. Do more. Don’t settle. Your career, business, ministry, marriage, and finances can all get better. But you will need to stretch (Philippians 3:12-14).
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria