Years ago, I sat on the edge of a canyon in my hometown of Twin Falls, Idaho. The wind moved through the rocks, and something settled deep in my heart. I sensed God calling me to reach people through writing and speaking. It felt clear. It felt right. And over time, He confirmed it again and again by opening doors I could never have forced open on my own.

After that moment, I chose to trust Him. I worked hard, but I wasn’t shaken when things didn’t unfold the way I pictured. There was a quiet steadiness in me.

Somewhere along the way, that changed.

Without noticing it at first, I began leaning on my own effort instead of the Spirit. I still had the same goals, but now I wanted them on my timeline, in my way. What started as dedication slowly turned into pressure. I wasn’t just working anymore. I was striving. Pushing. Forcing.

And it caught up with me.

I felt worn down in every way. My body was tired. My mind wouldn’t slow down. My spirit felt dry. Even my attitude shifted. I was easily irritated. Peace felt distant.

Over time, God began to work on the deeper places in me. He softened what had grown rigid. He gently showed me where I had taken control. I didn’t see how stubborn I had become until one morning, something finally gave way inside me. That tight grip I had on my plans loosened.

I let go.

Joy came back. Tears followed. There was relief I hadn’t felt in a long time.

There is a kind of fulfillment that only comes when you stop trying to control everything and start walking with God again. I’m still working. I’m still moving forward. But now, I’m listening more closely and holding things more loosely.

Along the way, three lessons settled deep in me.

Celebrate the small things

Goals matter. They give direction. Even something simple requires a plan. But when your eyes stay fixed on what’s ahead, it’s easy to miss what God is doing right now.

I spent too many days frustrated because life didn’t match the picture in my head. In that space, I overlooked quiet blessings. Opportunities I once prayed for. Encouragement from people who were impacted.

Gratitude shifts everything. When you notice what God is doing today, joy begins to return.

Make your plans, but leave room for Him to guide your steps. And don’t rush past the small wins. They matter more than you think.

Striving drains your soul

You can’t live in trust and striving at the same time. One will always push the other out.

When I was striving, peace disappeared. In its place came worry, pressure, and a constant sense that I was falling behind. That’s always the signal. When peace is gone, something is out of alignment.

Trust brings a steady calm, even while you’re working hard. It doesn’t mean you stop moving. It means you stop carrying what was never yours to hold.

Rest when you don’t understand

There are parts of God’s plan that won’t make sense in the moment. Scripture reminds us that some things are beyond what we can grasp. And that’s okay.

Resting in the unknown means you don’t rush ahead trying to figure everything out. You stay close. You move when He leads. You wait when He says wait.

Control will always pull you toward frustration. Surrender leads you back to peace.

At the end of the day, we are here to follow Him, not direct Him. When we forget that, even good intentions can lead us off course.

So as you move forward, hold onto this truth:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

Let Him lead. You don’t have to force what He has already planned.

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