Breaking the Cycle of Delay: Moving Forward in Obedience
Time: 8:52a
Location: In my living room
Mood: Revived and confident
Mental Love Note: You’re right where you need to be. What’s meant for you isn’t slipping away—it’s waiting for you to step into it. Trust God’s timing and move forward in faith.
Have you ever felt like you should be doing more? Like something in your current season isn’t quite fulfilling you? Chile… this has been hitting me hard!
Lately, I've been feeling like I'm falling short of pursuing the passion project I know I should be focusing on. Not because I don’t know what it is, but because I’m not moving at the pace I should be. Life is full—working full-time, managing a household, juggling responsibilities—so much so that days seem to slip away. And in the midst of it all, those passion projects? The ones that keep nudging at your heart? They get pushed to the back burner, again and again.
This cycle is all too familiar: inspiration sparks → momentum builds → then the overwhelm sets in → and suddenly, everything comes to a halt. Before you know it, you’re back at square one, trying to find the motivation to start again. But I’ve realized something—there’s more to this cycle than just lack of time. Fear, doubt, poor time management, and lack of strategy all play a role in keeping us stagnant.
The Cost of Delayed Obedience: Embrace the Season You’re In
In this season of my life, obedience is the central theme. Too often, we fall into the trap of time arrogance —convincing ourselves that we can put things off and return to them whenever we feel ready. But the truth is, it doesn’t work like that.
There are seasons specifically designed to propel us forward through faith and obedience. These moments aren’t random; they are divine opportunities meant to align us with God’s will. And when we hesitate—when we delay what we know we’ve been called to do—we risk missing windows of blessings that were always meant for us.
Bringing Mental Love Notes to life is a project I care deeply about, but the journey hasn’t been easy. The delays are valid—overwhelm, exhaustion, and the lingering thought that it might not resonate with anyone. Despite these doubts, I’m confident this is something I’m meant to share, and I’m determined to push past the uncertainty and make it a reality.
The Power of Taking Action: How Small Steps Lead to Big Shifts in Your Purpose
Let me be real: this process hasn’t been easy. Getting to this point has involved a lot of prayer, difficult conversations, and the support of a community of women who truly understand this journey. But what if the breakthrough we’re waiting for begins with taking action exactly where we are? Even the smallest steps of obedience can unlock doors we never imagined.
Progress isn’t about waiting for the perfect moment. The key is momentum: the more we take action, the more we align ourselves with the path God has prepared for us.
So, how do you break free from fear and start taking action? How do you stop waiting for everything to magically fall into place and embrace the season you’re in?
Here are some practical strategies that have helped me harness the transformative power of taking action:
1. Identify What’s Holding You Back
➰ Practical Strategy: Identify what's holding you back by addressing your fears, doubts, or insecurities.
➰ Action: Spend 10 minutes reflecting on your current challenges. Write down any fears or limiting beliefs, then break them into smaller, manageable parts. Simply naming them can reduce their power over you.
➰ Encouragement: “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:32
2. Give Your Concerns to God
➰ Practical Strategy: Acknowledge that you don't have to carry everything alone.
➰ Action: Surrender your worries daily through writing or prayer, trusting God to bear the weight.
➰ Encouragement: “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7
3. Renew Your Mind Daily
➰ Practical Strategy: Renew your mind by replacing negativity with truth from God’s Word.
➰ Action: Start each day with a scripture or affirmation to set a positive tone for your day.
➰ Encouragement: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” – Romans 12:2
4. Trust in God’s Timing
➰ Practical Strategy: Trust God’s perfect timing, knowing He’s always working behind the scenes.
➰ Action: When impatience arises, remind yourself that God’s timing is always right on time.
➰ Encouragement: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1
5. Surround Yourself with Community
➰ Practical Strategy: Surround yourself with a supportive community to stay focused on your purpose and strengthen your faith.
➰ Action: Connect with those who inspire and support you, whether through church, friendships, or online groups, to stay aligned with God’s will.
➰ Encouragement: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” – Proverbs 27:17
6. Reflect and Celebrate Your Progress/Wins
➰ Practical Strategy: Reflecting on and celebrating your progress keeps you motivated and grateful for your growth.
➰ Action: Focus on progress, not perfection. Use a gratitude jar or journal to track and celebrate each victory.
➰ Encouragement: “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” – Psalm 126:3
I hope this entry resonated with someone who needed to hear this today. It's easy to get swept up in life's fast pace and lose sight of our true purpose. When we delay the things God has entrusted to us, we’re not only hindering our own progress but potentially holding back someone else’s breakthrough.
Don’t wait for the "perfect" moment—step forward in faith, knowing that you’ve already been equipped with everything you need to move ahead.
Journal Prompt:
Now, you know I can’t leave you without a good journal prompt!
Reflect on the passions or projects you've set aside. What's holding you back from using your gifts? Identify one small action you can take today to move forward in faith and build momentum.
Thank you for reading.
— Dinesha Spruill
