When We Don’t Let Them Grow

One year an annual Easter egg hunt in Colorado Springs had to be canceled because of what had happened the year before. During the hunt, some parents rushed into the roped-off area meant only for children and began helping their kids collect the eggs. Within seconds the eggs were gone. Many children were left empty-handed, while others had far more than their share. What was meant to be a simple, joyful event for children became a frustrating scene because adults could not resist stepping in.

Observers later said the problem was deeper than just an egg hunt. Some parents were so afraid their children might experience disappointment that they refused to let them face even a small moment of failure. Instead of allowing their children to learn patience, perseverance, and fairness, they rushed in to guarantee success. But real growth rarely happens without challenge. Learning to wait, to try again, and even to lose is part of developing maturity.

The same principle applies in our spiritual lives. God does not remove every difficulty from our path. In fact, Scripture teaches that trials and challenges are often the very tools He uses to grow our faith. Just as a loving parent sometimes allows a child to struggle so they can mature, our Heavenly Father allows seasons that test us. Those moments are not signs that God has abandoned us—they are opportunities for our faith to become stronger and deeper.