Will it be easy? No!
Will it be messy? Absolutely!
But is He still in control? Always.
Sweet sister, we talked about the momentum of rolling. We talked about how God steers the boat, but you have to pick up the oars. But what happens when you’re rowing with everything you’ve got, and you feel like you’re just… hitting rocks? What happens when the "rolling" feels a lot more like "stumbling"?
I’ve been there. I’ve sat on my floor with my faith journal open, tears blurring the ink, asking the Lord: "Did I hear You wrong? Because this doesn’t feel like a 'straight path.' This feels like a mountain climb in a thunderstorm."
If you feel like your obedience has led you into a thicket rather than a meadow, this is for you. This is the messy middle. This is where the enemy tries to convince you that because the road is bumpy, you’ve lost the way. But I’m here as your spiritual big sister to tell you: Stumbling is often just the sound of growth hitting the ground.
Fact #1: Stumbling is Not the Same as Failing
We often equate "struggle" with "disobedience." We think that if we are perfectly in the center of His will, everything should be frictionless. But that is a lie from the pit of hell designed to make you give up right before the breakthrough.
In the Kingdom, progress isn't always a sprint. Sometimes, it’s a crawl. Sometimes, it’s a limping step forward while leaning heavily on the Master’s arm.
"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand."
: Psalm 37:23-24
Spiritual Truth: Your "fall" doesn't disqualify you from the "order." God didn't stop ordering your steps just because your knee hit the pavement. He is right there, hand extended, using the stumble to teach you how to lean.
Truth vs. Lie: The Battle for Your Perspective
When you are exhausted and the road is dark, your mind becomes a battlefield. You have to be a fierce steward of your thoughts.
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The Lie: "If this were God’s will, it wouldn’t be this hard."
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The Truth: Some of the greatest acts of obedience in the Bible were the hardest. Ask Joseph in the pit. Ask Paul in the prison. Hardship is not a sign of God's absence; it is often a sign of the enemy’s intimidation because you are exactly where you need to be.
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The Lie: "I’m stumbling because I’m not strong enough."
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The Truth: Exactly. You aren't. And you were never meant to be. This path is designed to exhaust your self-sufficiency so you can finally tap into His all-sufficiency.
Excuse #1: "I Must Have Taken a Wrong Turn"
We love to use "peace" as our only compass. While the peace of God is a beautiful guide, don't confuse "emotional comfort" with "spiritual peace." You can be in the middle of a spiritual warfare battle, feeling totally uncomfortable, and still be perfectly on track.
If you are using your bible study planner and seeking His face, trust the navigation. A closed door is a redirection. A hard path is a preparation. Do not turn back just because the elevation changed.
How to Battle: The "Rolling" Inventory
When you feel like you’re stumbling, don’t just stop. Evaluate. Take your prayer journal and find a quiet space (even if it’s just the bathroom for five minutes!).
- Acknowledge the Fatigue: Tell Him. "Lord, I am tired. This path is rocky." He can handle your honesty.
- Check Your Anchor: Are you rolling in your own strength or His? If you haven't sat with His Word today, you're trying to sail without a mast.
- Identify the "Stones": What specifically feels like a stumble? Is it a lack of resources? A person's opposition? Fear of the future? Name it so you can hand it over.
- Repent of Perfectionism: If you're mad at yourself for "stumbling," you're worshiping your own performance instead of His grace. Let it go.
Deeply Rooted: Journal Prompts for the Messy Middle
If you're feeling stuck, use these christian journal prompts in your next quiet time to reconnect with the North Star of your soul:
- Where am I trying to "steer" instead of just "rolling" with what He’s given me?
- What "hard truth" is this stumbling block trying to teach me about my own self-reliance?
- If I knew for 100% certainty that God was holding my hand right now, what would my next limping step look like?
- Write out 1 Peter 5:7 and list every single anxiety you are "casting" onto Him today.
"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you."
: 1 Peter 5:7
Spiritual Truth: Casting is an active verb. It’s an act of spiritual warfare. You are literally throwing your weight onto Him so you can keep rolling.
Fact #2: The View from the Top Requires the Climb
You are a masterpiece in progress, a key part of the Plan. The "stumbles" are actually the carving away of the parts of you that can't enter the next season. God is more interested in your character than your comfort.
Don't let the enemy steal your vision. Your calling hasn't changed. Your God hasn't moved. The road is just doing its job: teaching you how to walk by faith and not by sight.
Keep your head up, winner. You aren't failing; you're being refined. Open that faith journal, write down the one thing you can do today, and do it.
Will you fall again? Probably.
Will He catch you? Guaranteed.
Will you make it to the destination? In His perfect timing.
Keep rolling, sister. I’m right here cheering you on.
Stay Grace-Led,
Charlet
