Man of God, 

One reason we find ourselves stuck in a rut is that we do not understand the Making/Maturing Principle.

It’s simple, but difficult to master.

When you face internal conflict with yourself or external conflict with others, you have to discern whether the issue is one of making or maturing.

Is this a way that you were uniquely made by God that should not change?

Or

Is this an area that needs maturation and needs to change?

We find trouble when we get these two mixed up. 

When our temper flares in a way that hurts those we love and we say, “That’s just the way I am,” we get making and maturing mixed up.

When we feel pressure to stuff our emotions and reject tenderness because, “Real men don’t cry,” we get maturing and making mixed up.

When we try to change the unique things about ourselves to fit in or be accepted by others, we often rob ourselves and the world of our greatest contribution. We give away our unique imprint on the world to be a cog in the machine.

When we dig our heels in and refuse to change the areas that need to be matured, we create inflammation in our relationships and grow embittered because “the world is against us.”

In the wider culture, you will often hear, “I was born this way.” In most cases, this is a textbook example of getting making and maturing mixed up.

I read this quote from theologian Reinhold Niebuhr that is actually the origin of the popular Serenity Prayer,

The victorious man in the day of crisis is the man who has the serenity to accept what he cannot help and the courage to change what must be altered.

Where do you see this wrestle in your life? 

Paul gives us some practical encouragement in Romans 12:2 that helps us get this right.

“Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

I pray that God gives you discernment today to help you get the Making/Maturing Principle aligned with his will in your life.

THIS WEEK’S TOP 3

1. READ: Hebrews 2
2. THINK: Chew on this... "The victorious man in the day of crisis is the man who has the serenity to accept what he cannot help and the courage to change what must be altered." -Reinhold Niebuhr

3. ACT: Take 5 minutes today and consider the areas where you are experiencing conflict or struggle in your life. Ask yourself if the Making/Maturing Principle is at work in any of these situations and ask God for discernment today. 

BOOKING FOR FALL 2026: RETREATS, LEADERSHIP SUMMITS, AND CHURCHES 

One of my favorite things in the world is to speak at conferences, retreats and churches.

If you lead a church, run a men's ministry, host a retreat, or know someone looking for a speaker this fall. I'd love to be in the conversation.

I'm speaking on three topics right now:

Filter the Noise - a practical framework for quieting the mental chaos and living with the authority and peace of Christ.

The Right Kind of Dangerous Man - calling men back to the strength, clarity, and God-given intentionality they were wired for.

Fathering in the Age of AI - equipping dads to thrive, not just survive, in the new technological frontier.

If any of these feel like a fit for your people, shoot me an email. Let's connect.

aubrey@whetstoneway.com