You’re Doing Better Than You Think & Here’s Proof
Do you find yourself looking around and feeling like everyone else is thriving while you’re just…trying to keep it together? Maybe you feel like your progress is invisible and your hard work is not adding up.
But what if I told you definitively that you’re doing better than you think?
God sees progress differently than people do.
“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.”
Most of the time, faithfulness looks like showing up when no one sees. ESPECIALLY when no one sees. Progress looks like planting seeds that haven’t sprouted yet.
Proof you’re doing better than you think:
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Despite everything - the heartbreak, the financial pressure, the spiritual warfare and the utter exhaustion…you’re still here. That’s strength, love.
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You’re setting boundaries you couldn’t do before. You aren’t perfect with it but you’re praying a bit more. You’re pursuing your purpose in ways you used to be scared to. That’s brave.
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Even when it’s slow, unseen, or seemingly unappreciated, you’re doing Kingdom work. Investing in your career/business, your faith or your healing takes courage. You’re not stuck, you’re being stretched!
It’s hard to recognize growth when you’re in the thick of it all. If you’re an avid journaler (yes I know, not a real word), you probably could look back and see some difference..in the same way that you would if you were attempting to lose weight or gain strength and looked back at photos.
If you do not already journal, let me encourage you: start. Today. Now. Begin writing the things in your heart. What’s in your mind. At the very least, write down a bullet point every time something noteworthy occurs (whether you consider it worth writing down or not).
For now, reflect back on where you were 6 months ago. Since I know you’ll likely note the things that HAVEN’T improved first, go ahead and write those down so we can get that out of the way. Then go ahead and ask yourself the following questions:
Have I been more obedient, even in small things?
Have I handled setbacks with more grace or emotional maturity than before?
Am I rattled as easily as I was then?
Am I more patient, prayerful or discerning?
Am I further in my goals, even by a small margin, than I was then?
These are signs of spiritual maturity. And they matter more than metrics!
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
You are so good at selling yourself short. You are good at downplaying what you accomplish and how strong you are…but yet so good at noticing all the ways others excel. What if I told you that this action is not humility…but rather insecurity?
See, if we believe God is a perfect God and in turn believe what He says about us, that means anytime we speak ill of ourselves we speak against what God has spoken over us.
Let me leave you with 4 tips:
Your words matter. Say more of the good ones.
Rest in the fact that growth takes time!
Stay rooted in truth.
Remind yourself that what you’re building matters - even if it’s not finished yet.
Need help seeing your growth? Check out The Purposed Christian devotional - a tool to track your spiritual transformation.