5 Powerful Reminders For When Your Rhythm Feels Off
Every season has its own rhythm. Sometimes it’s a steady, beautiful beat that feels effortless—and other times, it’s more like clumsy drum practice in the church when the worship team is still figuring out the song. We all have those seasons where the rhythm is off. Maybe it’s a new school year, a change in your work schedule, a move, or just the daily grind wearing you thin.
For me, one of the biggest rhythm shifts happens when we move from the slow pace of summer into the structure of a new homeschool year.
Learning to Adjust
We’re homeschooling again this year, and I’m determined for it to run more smoothly than last year. That first year was a huge learning curve. I’ve shared about it in another post: The Truth About Our First Year Homeschooling.
At first, I had no idea what I was doing. Consequently, I had to put my “get it done” mentality aside and learn to relax through the process. This year, I’m still learning—but I’ve found a simple win: giving my son and daughter a checklist for the day.
No fancy apps, just bullet points in my phone’s notes they can check off. As a result, it keeps us all on track without being rigid. Sure, we veer from the list sometimes, but more often than not, we’re all happier with the rhythm.
Opposites in Marriage
I married a man who thrives on spontaneity, while I thrive on plans. He likes to decide as we go; I like to map it out ahead of time. His way can throw me for a loop, but it’s good for me—it keeps me from becoming too stiff. In turn, my structure has helped him too. We’ve grown from learning each other’s ways, and our kids have taught us both to stretch in new directions.
However, when God changes the rhythm? That’s a whole different adjustment.
A Swift Move That Changed Everything
Several years ago, after almost seven years of marriage, I was in prayer when I heard the Lord say, “Your move will be swift.” Naturally, I brushed it off. I loved our quiet little life out in the sticks, near family. Moving wasn’t in my plans.
Meanwhile, my husband and I had been praying to be used more in ministry, and we were happily serving as Youth Pastors at the church I grew up in.
Then one day, while visiting friends in Colorado, our car overheated climbing a mountain. We pulled over, and the phone rang. On the other end was someone asking if we’d consider pastoring a home missions church in Texas.
Texas?! No jobs, no house, no plan—just hotter weather and a whole lot of unknowns. Nevertheless, God confirmed it through prayer, a dream, and even the quick sale of our home after months with no offers.
Within a week, we were packing everything into storage and a trailer, moving toward something we couldn’t fully see but knew God had called us to.
Talk about having your rhythm completely upended.
5 Powerful Reminders for When Your Rhythm Feels Off
When your rhythm is disrupted, it’s easy to lose focus and let worry take over. These five reminders have anchored me in seasons when everything felt uncertain, and I hope they will do the same for you:
- Find a Place to Pray – First, make space to talk with God honestly about your fears, frustrations, and hopes. Prayer shifts your perspective and aligns your heart with His.
- Ask God to Cleanse Your Heart and Bring Peace – Next, when your mind feels cluttered, ask Him to wash away anxious thoughts and replace them with His calm.
- Get into His Word – Then, let Scripture steady you when everything else feels shaky. Even a single verse can keep you grounded in truth.
- Fast – Sometimes we need to quiet our bodies to hear God more clearly. As a result, fasting removes distractions and makes space for His voice.
- Take One Small Step – Finally, remember you don’t have to fix everything at once. Just start where you are and trust Him with the next step.
Learning from Joseph’s Rhythm Shifts
I think of Joseph. His rhythm shifted over and over—from living with family, to slavery, to serving in Pharaoh’s home, to prison, and finally to a position where he saved his family and a nation.
When God moved us to Texas, I couldn’t see the full picture any more than Joseph could when he was in prison. All I knew was that my rhythm was gone, and I was stepping into the unknown. But just like Joseph’s obedience positioned him to save a nation, our obedience opened doors in ministry we never could have imagined. In other words, what felt like a complete disruption was actually God setting the stage for something greater.
Genesis 50:20 says, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
Joseph’s story—and our own—remind me that God’s hand is at work even when the rhythm feels chaotic. Trusting Him in those moments allows us to see the beauty of His plan when the pieces finally come together.
Walking Forward in His Rhythm
If your rhythm feels off right now, take heart—God has not lost track of you or your story. The beat may sound unfamiliar, but He is still the One leading the song. Therefore, trust the process, lean in to His timing, and allow Him to guide your steps one measure at a time.
If this post encouraged you, I’d love for you to join my Stay Rooted email community. When you sign up, you’ll get my 5-Day Devotional for Women Who Do It All as a gift—a simple way to pause, reset, and reconnect with God’s peace each day. You’ll also receive mid-week encouragement in your inbox every week to help you stay grounded in truth and hope.
Click here to join Stay Rooted and get your devotional.
Remember, I’m always praying for you, even if I don’t know who you are.
