Growing Pains / Growing Joys

Title: Growing ~~Pains~~ Joys
Artwork by: YMI x @thesacrebleulife
Description: We don’t have to feel burdened about spiritual growth when we remember that growth is given by God (1 Corinthians 3:6–7) and powered by the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22), and that our job is simply to journey with Him and follow His lead.

Just like how we can enjoy food that nourishes us and helps us grow, joy and growth can go hand in hand when we taste the Lord’s goodness each day (1 Peter 2:2-3). As we learn to notice and engage in the moments of joy, love, and excitement in life that nudge us toward Christlikeness, we’ll come to see spiritual growth as a joy-filled process.

a panel with bible close and a panel with bible open with a smiley bookmark inside

a panel with an answered prayer mason jar with slips of paper and a panel an answered prayer mason jar with slips of paper and unanswered prayer mason jar with more slips of paper, but both with smiley sticker on them

a panel with a t shirt with sad face hanging, a panel with a two friends is hanging out, and t shirt is being worn by a man

a panel with a unused bag with a sad face on it, a panel with a hand is giving the bag with supplies and the smiley face on it

showing 4 panels which God is behind all to give the smiley face on all the objects

text on the boom cloud and with smiley face

Artist Feature

Michelle Wagenaar is a freelance illustrator from the Netherlands. She creates playful illustrations about the sad and happy sides of life. Through these displays of art and humour, she hopes to give others the opportunity and means to nuance their feelings, talk and even laugh about it!