The Noise We Don’t Always Recognize

This blog post isn’t about a book, but a book (For Women Who Are Call by Women Who Have Answered by Kim Haney) did stir something in me. As I was reading, a quote stopped me in my tracks:

“Sometimes, you have to get to the place where you must quiet the noise! God does not scream nor is He rude to interrupt. He speaks in a still, small voice to those who long to hear His words. All true ministry is simply relaying to people the words of the Lord. However, I cannot give what I do not hear.”

— For Women Who Are Called by Women Who Have Answered, p. 7–8

That last line made me stop and think, “Hold up…what did that say?”

I cannot give what I do not hear.

That one statement made me start paying attention to something I had noticed before, but not in the way I thought I would.

The noise.

Because noise comes in all forms, and sometimes it doesn’t look loud at all. Sometimes it just looks like normal life. Responsibilities, routines, things that need to get done.

For me, sometimes it looks like the chaos of my home. Things out of place. A room that feels undone. And suddenly, my mind feels the same way.

I wouldn’t call myself a perfectionist, but I do love order. I like things to feel settled. And when that order feels off, it’s like everything in me starts to spiral just a little, even if I try to ignore it.

Maybe that sounds dramatic.

But it’s real.

And it made me realize something important.

I’ve learned what noise sounds like in my life.

Guarding Your Heart Starts with Awareness

Once you recognize the noise, you start seeing it everywhere.

Sometimes it’s as simple as picking up your phone.

You see a notification. You tap it. You check one thing, then another, and before you know it, thirty minutes are gone. Not because you meant to stay there, but because noise has a way of pulling you in quietly and keeping you longer than you intended.

Other times, it’s what we’re allowing into our minds without even thinking about it.

What we watch. What we listen to. Who we surround ourselves with.

All of it matters more than we think because all of it is shaping something inside of us.

I shared in another post, Let This Mind Be In You, that when our mindset begins to shift toward the things of God, everything else begins to follow. The way we think changes. The way we speak changes. Even the way we live begins to reflect Him more clearly.

That shift doesn’t happen by accident, and it doesn’t happen overnight. It happens in the small, daily choices we make about what we allow into our hearts and what we choose to dwell on.

And if I’m honest, this is where it gets a little more personal.

Because it’s one thing to recognize the noise around us. It’s another thing to let God deal with what’s happening inside of us.

Another quote from Kim Haney’s book really hit home with me:

“You can lay over an altar all day long and weep and cry and pray, then get up from that place of worship and refuse to recognize that carnal, worldly thing in your life that is attached to you as a spirit sucker—something that keeps you from advancing, growing, and maturing in God.”

— For Women Who Are Called by Women Who Have Answered, p. 146

That’s a hard truth.

Because sometimes it’s not just the noise around us.

Sometimes it’s what we allow to stay attached to us.

And no amount of prayer will move us forward if we are unwilling to let God deal with the things that are quietly draining us.

And that’s where guarding your heart really begins.

Why Guarding Your Heart Matters More Than We Think

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
– Proverbs 4:23 (KJV)

Guarding your heart isn’t just about avoiding the “big” things we often think about.

It’s about recognizing the small, subtle distractions that slowly pull you away from hearing His voice. The things that don’t seem harmful at first, but over time, they begin to crowd out the quiet places where God wants to meet with you.

The enemy doesn’t always come in loud and obvious ways. Sometimes it’s distraction. Sometimes it’s busyness. Sometimes it’s simply keeping you so full of noise that you never slow down long enough to listen.

And when that happens, we don’t even realize what we’re missing.

Because it’s in the quiet where God speaks.

Learning to Quiet the Noise and Listen

I had a moment recently during prayer where I stopped talking.

I just listened.

And the words that kept coming to my heart were simple.

“Make me a vessel.”

Not loud. Not overwhelming. Just steady and gentle, but clear.

And in that moment, it was like the Lord gently reminded me of something I needed to hear.

He hasn’t left me. He hasn’t forgotten me. He hasn’t been silent.

I just needed to quiet the noise long enough to hear Him.

As I sat there, it felt like the Lord wrapped His arms around me in a way I can’t fully explain. Like a mother comforting her child after they’ve been hurt. The kind of moment where everything doesn’t magically fix itself, but you know deep down that it’s going to be okay.

And the truth is… I almost missed it.

Not because God wasn’t speaking, but because there was so much competing for my attention.

Guarding Your Heart in a Noisy World Looks Like This

If we don’t guard our hearts, the noise will fill the space that was meant for His voice.

And if I’m honest, I can’t do what God has called me to do if I’m constantly distracted. I can’t pour into others if I’m not first listening to Him. I can’t walk in the Spirit if I’m always pulled in another direction.

I can’t give what I do not hear.

So maybe this isn’t about doing more.

Maybe it’s about quieting more.

Turning down the noise where we can. Stepping away from the distractions when we need to. Creating space, even in small moments, to hear Him again.

Because when we walk in the Spirit, like Galatians reminds us, something begins to change inside of us. Not all at once, but little by little, day by day.

And in a world that never seems to slow down, guarding your heart might just start with choosing what you allow to have your attention and choosing, again and again, to listen for Him.

A Gentle Invitation

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, distracted, or just a little disconnected lately, you’re not alone. Life gets loud. Responsibilities pile up. And sometimes we don’t even realize how much noise we’re carrying until we stop long enough to notice it.

So here’s a gentle invitation for you this week.

Take a moment. Just one.

Turn everything else down, even if it’s only for a few minutes, and simply sit with the Lord. You don’t have to have the perfect words. You don’t have to have it all together.

Just come.

Listen.

Let Him meet you right where you are.

You might be surprised at what you hear when everything else gets quiet.

If this spoke to your heart today, I would love for you to share it with someone else who might need this reminder too. You never know who is feeling the same pull and just needs a little encouragement to pause and listen.

And if you’re longing for more encouragement like this each week, I would love for you to join my Stay Rooted emails. It’s where I share Scripture, real-life moments, and gentle reminders to help you stay grounded in your walk with the Lord, even when life feels chaotic.

You don’t have to do this alone. We’re walking this together.

And the quotes I shared came from a book that has truly challenged and encouraged me in this season. I’ve linked it below if you’d like to take a deeper look.

For Women Who Are Called by Women Who Have Answered by Kim Haney

Remember, I’m always praying for you—even if I don’t know who you are.

Stop Fighting Spiritual Battles with Carnal Tools

"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;"
2 Corinthians 10:4

Paul was blunt. He was telling believers to quit trying to handle spiritual warfare with natural ability.

When something goes wrong, especially as women, we think we can fix it. We manage it, talk it through, reorganize, confront, research, and plan.

But if the root is spiritual, no amount of carnal effort will dismantle it.

A stronghold is not just a bad situation. It is a fortified mindset. A pattern of thinking that resists truth. A spiritual resistance that keeps people bound.

Strongholds are not removed because we tried harder. They are pulled down through prayer that aligns with the authority of God.

And Jesus made this even clearer.

"Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting."
Matthew 17:21

There are “kinds” that will not move because you prayed once. There are “kinds” that will not shift because you were frustrated. There are “kinds” that require consecration.

Prayer and fasting are not dramatic gestures. They are surrender. They are alignment. They are warfare.

The Spirit Searches Deep

"But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God."
1 Corinthians 2:10

If the Spirit searches the deep things of God, then surface Christianity will not sustain us.

We cannot build our relationship with God around convenience. We cannot approach Him only when something feels urgent. We cannot expect deep breakthrough with shallow devotion.

Going deep requires time. Going deep requires surrender. Going deep requires honesty.

And going deep can be painful.

It is painful because when we ask God to search us, He does not only point out the enemy. He points out us.

He exposes pride. He reveals motives. He refines character.

But strongholds are broken in deep places, not shallow ones.

Daniel and Intercessory Prayer

This is where Daniel becomes central.

Daniel understood Jeremiah’s prophecy. Seventy years of captivity were ending. The timeline had been spoken. The promise had been declared.

But there was no visible shift.

Daniel could have said, “God promised it. He will handle it.” And then went on his merry way.

Instead, Daniel 9:3 says:

"And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting..."

Notice what he did not do.

He did not complain about leadership. He did not blame Babylon. He did not grow cynical in the waiting.

He set his face.

Setting his face means he became intentional. Focused. Unmoved.

Then he confessed.

Daniel 9 is not a soft prayer. It is repentance on behalf of a nation. “We have sinned.” “We have done wickedly.” He included himself in the confession even though Scripture does not record Daniel personally falling into the same sins.

That is intercessory prayer.

He stood in the gap.

Verse 13 says even though judgment had come, they had not made their prayer before the Lord.

"...yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth."

That is sobering.

Sometimes we want the promise fulfilled more than we want to repent. Sometimes we want breakthrough more than we want refinement.

Daniel understood something crucial.

The prophecy was spoken. But the fulfillment was partnered with prayer.

When God is preparing to fulfill a promise, He often moves His people into deeper prayer.

And Daniel 10 pulls the curtain back even further.

In Daniel 10:12-13, the angel tells Daniel:

"Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. 13But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia."

There are two things happening in those verses.

First, heaven heard immediately. From the first day Daniel humbled himself, God responded. There was no delay in God’s awareness. There was no hesitation in His willingness to act.

Second, there was resistance in the spiritual realm. The answer was opposed. What God had released encountered conflict before it manifested.

Daniel did not know any of this while he was praying.

He only knew that he had set his heart to seek God and that the breakthrough had not yet appeared.

This reframes how we understand delay.

Delay does not automatically mean disobedience. Delay does not automatically mean God said no. Sometimes delay means there is a battle we cannot see.

Intercessory prayer is not only about asking. It is about persevering when you do not yet see movement.

Daniel continued in humility and fasting. He did not abandon his posture because the answer was not immediate.

And when the resistance was broken, the message came.

Do Not Settle in the Wilderness

Just like Israel in the wilderness, we often find ourselves standing between promise and possession.

Numbers 13:2 — God said He had given them the land. But by verse 27, the report shifted the atmosphere. Oh, they saw the fruit, but other things looked greater. Giants. Walls. Fear. (Verse 28).

The promise did not change. The people’s perspective did.

Isaiah 55:2 asks why we spend ourselves on what does not satisfy.

"Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food."

Why settle for wilderness living when God has promised more?

Galatians 6:9 reminds us not to grow weary. In due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

But perseverance is not passive.

Jeremiah 29:11 gives the promise. Jeremiah 29:12 gives the response.

"Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you."

Call on Him. Pray to Him. Seek Him with all your heart.

The promise was spoken. Intercessory prayer activated it.

When You Do Not Know What to Pray

There will be moments when you feel overwhelmed by the weight of it all.

You may not even know how to form the words.

Romans 8:26 reminds us,

"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."

Even when you do not have language, you are not powerless.

The Spirit intercedes.

That should stir us, NOT make us passive.

If heaven is interceding, how much more should we?

This Is the Axis of Intercessory Prayer

An axis is the fixed point everything rotates around.

For the church. For families. For leaders.

Prayer and fasting must be the axis.

Not emotion. Not offense. Not reaction.

Prayer.

And I want to speak to the lay members for a moment. Your pastor and your pastor’s family cannot do this alone.

They can preach. They can counsel. They can show up when people are hurting. They can carry responsibility that few people see.

But spiritual warfare is not fought by one family.

If you love your church, back your pastor in prayer. Do not just critique what you do not understand. Cover what you do understand. Ask the Lord to strengthen them, protect their home, guard their minds, and keep their spirits clean.

When the church prays together, the church stands together.

Things may not unfold exactly as we plan. Circumstances may not resolve neatly. But will we still sit at His feet? Will we still praise Him? Will we still fight spiritually?

Or will we give up and react in the flesh?

This is not about hype. It is about holiness. It is about refusing to allow the enemy to gain ground because we were distracted.

I am not writing this lightly. I am writing this because I feel the urgency of it.

Daniel did not wait quietly. He set his face.

So must we.

And if you are weary, hear Galatians 6:9 again.

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

The promise God has given will come, but in His time.

Do not grow weary. Do not loosen your grip. Do not quit in the waiting.

If this stirred something in you, do not dismiss it.

If you are a pastor’s wife, I am praying strength over you. I am praying clarity, courage, and clean hands in the middle of the fight.

If you are a lay member, this is your moment to rise. Your prayers matter more than you realize. Your faithfulness matters. Your intercession matters.

And if you feel like you have been waiting on a promise for a long time, I want you to know you are not forgotten. Keep seeking. Keep standing. Keep praying.

Do not leave this as inspiration. Turn it into action.

Set aside time. Fast in whatever way the Lord leads. Intercede for your home. Intercede for your church. Intercede for your own heart.

Do not settle. Do not faint. Do not react in the flesh.

Set your face.

And let prayer become the axis again.

If this message resonates with you and you want continued encouragement like this, you can explore more faith-based encouragement here on the blog in the Encouragement category.

You can also join our Stay Rooted weekly email where I share Scripture, practical application, and reminders to stay grounded when life feels heavy. I would love to have you there.

You can find more encouragement like this here on the blog under our Encouragement category!

And remember, I’m always praying for you, even if I don’t know who you are.

When Opposition Redirects Our Focus

God did not ignore what had happened.

In His rebuke, He pointed directly to the result of their choices. They planted much but harvested little. They ate but were never satisfied. They drank but were still thirsty. They clothed themselves but were never warm. And the money they earned seemed to disappear—as if their purses had holes in them. (Haggai 1:6)

That part stopped me in my tracks.

Oh, how I have felt that.

I’ve wondered what I was doing wrong. Why it felt like I was working so hard but never quite seeing the fruit. Why things felt off—spiritually, emotionally, even practically. But Haggai 1:9 brings clarity:

They were busy with their house, not God’s.

Yes, opposition started the slowdown—but instead of returning to God’s work once the fear set in, they poured their energy into themselves. The focus shifted from spiritual obedience to personal comfort. From God’s glory to their own.

Obedience Restarted—And Then Doubt

Once the people heard the rebuke of the Lord, they responded. They recognized their error and began rebuilding the temple as they should have all along.

But obedience did not instantly remove discouragement.

Doubt followed.

The new temple didn’t look like the old one. It wasn’t as grand. It didn’t seem as impressive. Comparison crept in, and with it, disappointment. (Haggai 2:3)

More than once, God spoke words they desperately needed to hear:

“Be strong… My Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.” (Haggai 2:4-5)

That reassurance matters.

God did not deny the opposition. He didn’t pretend the work was easy. Instead, He reminded them that His presence had not left just because the work felt harder.

The Question I’m Asking Myself

This is the part I’m still praying through.

Have I truly shifted my focus?

Am I building God’s Kingdom—or am I pouring my energy into my own house while telling myself “it’s just not the right time”?

I want my life to reflect that I am working on God’s Kingdom—His temple, His work, His people—not my own platform, comfort, or sense of control.

Haggai 2:6 says:

“In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land.”

And Haggai 2:9 follows with a promise that makes my heart ache in the best way:

“The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house.”

Kingdom Minded

This is where the Lord has been dealing with me most personally.

In a season of prayer, when I was wrestling through weariness, discouragement, and questions about fruit, the Lord impressed one phrase on my heart—simple, but weighty:

Kingdom Minded.

Not comfort-minded. Not schedule-minded. Not survival-minded.

Kingdom Minded.

It was a gentle but firm reminder that the call has not changed. The work has not shifted. God is still building His house—and He is still inviting His people to take part in it.

This Is What I’m Ready to See

This—this—is what I want to see.

I don’t want to build my own kingdom. I want to build His house.

I’m tired.

I’m tired of seeing the same things over and over. I’m tired of empty pews. I’m tired of watching people walk in and leave unchanged.

We have felt the presence of God in so many services, and I am deeply grateful for that. But I still ask the hard questions:

Where are we missing it?

Where are we missing bringing souls into God’s house?

Psalm 127:1 keeps ringing in my spirit:

“Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.”

A Pastor’s Wife Perspective

There is so much here, and I know I can’t unpack it all in one post.

God has been incredibly good to me and my family—but I have to ask myself where my focus has truly been. Has it been centered on comfort and survival? Or has it been on the souls that are still in need?

This isn’t your average blog post.

Honestly, it may be meant to encourage me just as much as anyone reading it.

Maybe you aren’t walking through this in your church. Maybe you are. Maybe this resonates because you’re a pastor’s wife. Or maybe you’re simply someone trying to move forward in obedience while facing resistance at every turn.

The Lord began dealing with me about these Scriptures over three months ago. Since then, it feels like opposition has increased—not decreased. Pushback from every direction.

Scriptures I’m Holding Onto

These are verses I’m keeping close—verses we need ready and active in our hearts:

• “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” — Matthew 6:33
• “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God” — Romans 12:2
• “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” — Colossians 3:2
• “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” — Philippians 4:8
• “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” — 2 Timothy 2:15

A Real-Life Reminder to Be Still

At a recent doctor’s appointment, he looked at me and said, “Susan, you need to slow down.”

I nodded politely, but inside I was thinking, Slow down? With what calendar? With what margin?

Still, his words stayed with me.

And not just his words, but it’s something the Lord has been dealing with me about during this time of perimenopause. I feel like I’m very aware of what’s going on with my body—even if I don’t completely understand it. I did all the research over the last few years trying to prepare myself for what is to come. My situation has been a little different with PCOS and Endometriosis (something many doctors still do not understand to this day). So to sit and be still just didn’t feel right. But I have known—and I think the Lord has pushed me to know—that it is necessary.

That reminder stirred something deeper in me, sending me back to a verse I’ve heard a thousand times—a verse that echoed the same message God has been whispering all along:

"Be still and know that I am God." — Psalm 46:10

It didn’t feel like a suggestion. It felt like an invitation.

To stop.
To breathe.
To remember Who holds it all together (hint: it’s not me).

I’ve been learning to listen to that invitation. Not just spiritually—but practically. I’ve started finding little ways to pause the noise and rest my mind:

• Sitting on the floor to play with my son—even when I have a million things to do.
• Soaking my feet in that little foot spa I bought and actually letting myself enjoy it.
• Sipping a hot cup of tea before the day takes off like a freight train.
• Letting my husband take over for a bit when I feel like I’ve hit a wall.

None of it’s fancy. None of it’s perfect. But it’s intentional.

And that’s the point.

What “Be Still” Really Means

When we hear “Be still and know that I am God,” it’s easy to think it means to simply pause and trust. And while that’s part of it, the Hebrew behind “be still” (raphah) actually means to let go, to release your grip, to stop striving.

It’s not passive—it’s active surrender.

It’s me unclenching my hands, loosening my shoulders, and saying, “Okay, God. I’m not holding this together—you are.”

That changes how I sit with this verse. It means I don’t just sit still—I surrender. I let go of the need to be perfect. I let go of my jam-packed schedule. I let go of the guilt for needing rest. And I make space to know—really know—that He is God and I am not.

Why Learning to Be Still Matters

If you’ve been feeling overstimulated, stretched thin, or emotionally drained—can I encourage you?

You’re allowed to pause.
You’re allowed to breathe.
You’re allowed to rest.

And not because everything is done. Not because your world is perfectly in order. But because God didn’t ask you to carry it all. He asked you to trust Him.

Sometimes trusting Him looks like moving forward in faith.
Other times? It looks like sitting down and letting Him carry you.

You don’t have to earn rest.
You don’t have to justify it.
You just have to say yes to the invitation.

Be still. Breathe. He’s already working.

Want More Encouragement?

If this post spoke to you today, you can listen to the full podcast episode here:
 Episode 7: Be Still & Breathe

And if you’d like weekly encouragement in your inbox (the kind that doesn’t overwhelm or guilt-trip you), join the Stay Rooted email group:
 Subscribe at makinmacon.com/stayrooted

You’re not alone in this, friend.
And even on the days when it feels like too much—

God is still enough.

Remember, I’m always praying for you, even if I don’t know who you are.

Encouragement in the Middle of the Mess

Yesterday, my husband was preaching from 1 Peter, and I’ll be honest—I was listening with one ear while the other half of my brain was counting bakery supplies. (Don’t judge me, y’all—we’ve all been there.)

Then the text hit me.

“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
1 Peter 5:7 (KJV)

Yes, Lord. I remember this one. I’ve written about this one.
(If you haven’t read it, here’s the post: Feeling Overwhelmed? How to Give it All to God)

But this time, my spirit leaned in for what came next.

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”
1 Peter 5:8 (KJV)

“Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”
1 Peter 5:9

“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”
1 Peter 5:10

The NIV says in verse 10 that God will restore, and according to Strong’s Concordance, that word means “to complete thoroughly,” or to repair or adjust.

He will secure you—to set fast, to turn resolutely in a certain direction, or to confirm.

He will strengthen you—to confirm and reinforce.

And He will establish you—to lay a basis for, to erect, or consolidate.

That isn’t just comfort—that’s a promise of real, anchored hope.

Called to the Highways: A Weary Heart on Mission

I don’t know who all this post is for, but I know part of it is for the weary saints in ministry. The ones who are trying to reach the lost while holding their own hearts together. The ones who know revival is on the brink but are feeling the heat of the battle more than the warmth of breakthrough.

Lately, I have felt the pull to the mission field in a way I cannot describe. Not necessarily to go overseas, but to go out. To go out into the highways and byways and compel them to come in (Luke 14:23). That verse has never felt more urgent. I want to make an impact. I want to reach that one who thinks no one sees them. I want to walk into dark places with the love of Christ and show someone that they matter.

We talked recently in our Ladies Bible Study about Love God’s Way by Joy Haney, and something that has stuck with me is this:

We only have so much love to give in our own strength. But when Christ fills us with His love, it’s overflowing. So much so that it should pour out of us and fill up the people around us.

I want to love like that. I want to be so filled with His Spirit that others leave a conversation with me and feel lighter—not because of anything I said, but because they encountered Him.

That kind of love leaves no room for discouragement to linger long.

Marching Orders for the Weary

I know you’re busy. I know your mind might be spinning like mine—especially if you’re carrying both spiritual burdens and natural responsibilities. But let this be your reminder:

Take a breath.
Say a prayer.
Resist the enemy.
And remember the God who restores.

He is working even when the war is still raging. He is faithful even when the answers haven’t come yet. And He is building something in you—a testimony, a ministry, a legacy—that the enemy cannot destroy.

Dear Weary One, You’re Not Alone

If you’re in a heavy week like me, let this post be a reminder that you don’t walk this path alone. There are saints all around the world—maybe even across the street—carrying the same burdens, feeling the same pressure, and clinging to the same promises.

“After that ye have suffered a while…”
Just a little while, friend.

Hold tight. Restoration is coming.

Need a boost to your week?
→ Revisit this devotional post that sparked today’s encouragement.
→ Download your free 5-Day Devotional for Women Who Do It All if you haven’t yet.
→ Or sign up for the Stay Rooted email list where I share weekly encouragement like this one—plus the behind-the-scenes of all God is doing.

Let’s walk this out together.

Remember, I’m always praying for you, even if I don’t know who you are!

P.S. Want a peaceful reset in the middle of the week? Grab my New Year Peace Recipe Cards for a calming diffuser blend, roll-on, or bath soak. You’ll be amazed what a few deep breaths can do.

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.

Prefer to listen? You can hear this encouragement here:

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Get into His Word – Then, let Scripture steady you when everything else feels shaky. Even a single verse can keep you grounded in truth.
4. 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.
5. 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.

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Remember, I’m always praying for you, even if I don’t know who you are.

When Life Shifts Gears Spiritually

I’ve been thinking about water lately. Still water—untouched, unmoved—grows murky. It collects debris, turns green, and eventually breeds algae. Why? Because it lacks movement.

I don’t want my spirit to stagnate like that. I don’t want to become still in the places where God is asking me to keep moving. Even when the days are full, the to-do list is long, or the unexpected hits (like a sick kid, a ministry opportunity, or a last-minute detour), I want to stay in motion with Him.

Because movement—when led by the Lord—brings life.

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
—Isaiah 43:18–19 (NIV)

When the Gears Don’t Shift Smoothly

If you’ve ever driven a stick shift (hello, my little 5-speed!), you know that staying in first gear will only get you so far. If you don’t shift, you’ll stall—or worse, blow the engine. But shifting gears isn’t always smooth. Sometimes you grind a little. Sometimes you lurch.

Sometimes you cry in the parking lot of your local grocery store because the day’s been too much and your dinner’s still frozen. (Not that I’m speaking from experience or anything…)

But here’s the truth: growth comes in the shifting. God doesn’t just call us to sit safely in neutral. He invites us to move—to trust Him in the transitions, to follow Him into new seasons.

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”
—Ecclesiastes 3:1 (KJV)

Answering the Call When Life Shifts Gears

This shifting isn’t just practical—it’s spiritual. I feel it in our church. In the atmosphere. We’re on the verge of revival, and it’s not just something we’re waiting for—it’s something we’re being prepared for.

There are people hurting all around us. And as followers of Christ, we can’t afford to stay comfortable. We’re called to carry the gospel—not keep it to ourselves.

Have you talked to your neighbor lately? Or the cashier at the grocery store? That teenage clerk at the gas station? These everyday interactions might just be holy ground.

We don’t have time to be stagnant. The world needs believers who are willing to shift gears—willing to step out, speak up, and serve where it matters.

“Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
—Mark 16:15 (KJV)

Finding Grace When Life Shifts Gears

Maybe you’re in a shifting season, too. Maybe you’re starting something new, or letting go of something that’s ended. Maybe you’re in between gears and it feels a little bumpy.

I want you to know—it’s okay to wobble. To feel unsure. To not have it all mapped out.

Because God does. And He gives grace for the gear shift.

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
—2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

Before You Go…

If you’re feeling the shift—physically, emotionally, spiritually—I’m right there with you. Let’s walk this new season together with grace, grit, and faith.

Whether you’re getting ready for a new homeschool year, diving into a new job, stepping into ministry, or just trying to make it through August—I pray you feel the hand of God guiding your every step.

Let’s keep moving. Let’s keep shifting. Let’s stay surrendered to the One who knows the road ahead.

Remember, I’m always praying for you, even if I don’t know who you are!

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Join the conversation: What season are you shifting into right now? I’d love to hear in the comments below.