05 When God's Version of Growth Doesn't Match Our Expectations

SHOW NOTESWord of the Year: GROWWhen growth doesn't look like we imagined—when our book doesn't take off, our ministry feels stagnant, or our character work feels repetitive—it's easy to wonder if we're actually growing at all.In this honest and vulnerable conversation, Bible study author Amy Sloss shares her journey with the word "grow" and how God redefined her expectations completely. Amy expected abundance and new opportunities after publishing her first book, Passages. Instead, she found herself back in the trenches, dealing with areas of pride, control, and judgement she thought she'd already conquered.If you've ever felt discouraged by slow spiritual growth, frustrated that your plans aren't unfolding as expected, or wondered why transformation feels like such hard work, this episode will meet you right where you are. Amy's story reminds us that the most significant growth often happens beneath the surface—in the daily discipline of surrender, the humility of owning our part, and the faithfulness of remembering how God has led us.In this episode, we cover:- Why spiritual growth rarely matches our expectations (and what to do when you feel stuck)- The difference between one-time transformation and ongoing character pruning- How releasing your plans actually opens the door to real growth- The power of remembering God's faithfulness when you can't see immediate results- Why authentic vulnerability creates safe spaces for others to growAbout the Guest: Amy Sloss is a writer, mother of five, and author of Passages: Pruning You For His Glory, a Bible study workbook born from her own journey of discovering hidden pride, bitterness, and control. Through vulnerable storytelling and biblical truth, Amy guides others through the uncomfortable work of letting God prune what needs to go so His fruit can flourish.amysloss.caCONNECT WITH EMILY:Website: emilygrabatin.caThe Heart's Calling SubstackWelcoming Slow Growth communityThis is a space for the sacred, the soulful, and the slow. Welcome to the journey. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theheartscalling.substack.com