We often ask God for increase, but we do not always expect increase to make old environments feel tight. We ask for growth, but then we get surprised when old habits no longer satisfy us. We ask for wisdom, but then wonder why certain conversations begin to feel shallow. We ask for purpose, but then become frustrated when God starts pulling us away from things that once had easy access to our time, attention and emotions.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” That means life is not random. Seasons do not just happen without meaning. Even when we cannot see the reason, God can still use every season to prepare us, protect us, strengthen us, redirect us and bring us closer to the purpose He has placed on our lives.

If you’re not careful, you’ll start questioning yourself. You’ll wonder if something is wrong with you, if you’re being distant, if you’re overthinking. But what if none of that is true? What if what you’re experiencing isn’t confusion—but growth?

Today on Tony Tips Tuesdays™, we’re going deeper than surface-level character growth. We’re talking about characters who embrace change — not those who are dragged into it unwillingly, not those who adapt passively, but those who consciously choose transformation. And because this is the 24th day of Black History Month, we will ground this conversation in the life of Ida B. Wells, whose transformation from teacher to investigative crusader reshaped history.