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One Step at a Time

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I came home from the Allume Conference full of goals and aspirations. I took diligent notes and was determined to make big strides both as a blogger and as a writer. I wrote down steps I wanted to take, goals I wanted to accomplish, and new dreams envisioned. I made new contacts, friends with whom I could partner. I got a ton of new resources (hello swagbag), and was so stoked to step out and make all of these things happen.

In the last {almost} two weeks since my return home, I have not accomplished a thing.

I haven’t made changes to my blog.

I haven’t reached out to the new {amazing} bloggers I met and would like to partner with.

I haven’t engaged with my readers, and really haven’t written any fantastic content.

I feel paralyzed.

You see, this is how I often feel when I come back from an amazing “high” experience. It’s how I felt after I attended a Women of Faith conference and came home determined to kick my temptation to the curb. It’s how I felt after attending a women’s retreat about prayer, where I was determined to spend more time on my knees before my Lord. My intentions were good, my heart was in it, but the feat seemed too great and I became paralyzed.

Do you ever feel that way?

Do you ever leave an exhilarating experience, newly equipped to run the race, and you end up feeling paralyzed?

Instead of making change, even taking just a small step, you find anything else to fill your time. Laundry even seems enticing as you avoid stepping out in faith. Anxiety gets in the way, and the enemy begins to convince you that the information you learned wasn’t meant for you, that you cannot take the steps necessary to reach your goals and that your goals are too lofty and impossible. Fear grabs you, and you decide to stick your notes {and dreams} away until you have “more time” to pour into taking action.

That’s where I’ve sat since returning from Allume. I’ve remained paralyzed in my fear.

Today, however, the Lord spoke to my heart. Today He gave me a {loving} kick in the booty. He reminded me that it wasn’t about tackling every single goal at once. He showed me that it wasn’t about starting with the big dream, but instead it’s about starting with the small steps. It’s about saying “yes” to today, checking one thing off the list, and leaving tomorrow in His hands. He showed me that it was my fear that was leaving me paralyzed. It’s my fear that convinced me to put away my notes and my dreams for another day. It’s my fear that convinced me that my dreams were not valid, that He would never use me for that big dream. And He reminded me that He didn’t give me a spirit of fear.  

 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. – 2 Timothy 1:7

So today, instead of remaining in fear, I’m stepping out of it. I’m stepping out in faith. I’m going to pull out my notes, re-read my goals, my dreams, and my new-found visions for my ministry, and I’m going to take one step; one step towards growth, one step towards my goals, one step towards my God-given dreams. Just one. I won’t worry about what step I’ll take tomorrow, for today I just need to take one. Tomorrow I’ll take another step, and one each day after that. 

Day by day I’ll continue to kick fear to the curb and take it one step at a time. Will you join me?

 

  By, Mandy Scarr at Zealous for Him

 

Comments

  1. Did God tell you to write this for me? Because yesterday I met with a publicist for the first time, and the word paralyzed is perfect for how I feel. Thank you so much for the encouragement today -I’m going to take your advice and just take the steps I need to take today.

    • Christy, Thank you for your encouragement. Yes, maybe it was meant for you too–I’ve had to re-read these words since I wrote them on Monday as a reminder. One step at a time, He will work…

  2. I’m such a planner, but not much of a doer of the plans. Thanks for the encouragement to take those first steps and just keep moving forward. Meeting up with you was such a blessing and needs to be moved up on my to do list again. 🙂

    • Amy, I can relate to you on that. I’m quick to complete the little goals-laundry, respond to e-mails, etc, but when it comes to stepping out and making big steps towards my goals, I get on the ground in the fetal position 🙂 Here’s to taking one small step today 🙂

  3. Hi Mandy,
    Although I have yet to attend the Allume Conference, I know what you’re talking about. I can find so many things to fill my time instead of writing, posting, reading, etc. all things that I feel God moving me to do. (In this respect, social media can really eat up chunks of time!) I like how you made moving toward our goals manageable…one step at a time, focusing on one thing at a time.

    It reminds me of the Parable of the Talents…
    Matthew 25:21 (NLT)
    “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!”

    Thanks for your encouraging post!
    In Christ,
    Laura
    http://www.laurarath.blogspot.com

    • Laura,
      Thank you for your comments. I completely agree with you–our time can get sucked away with social media and things like TV. We must guard our time, especially when He’s given us His Word to speak to the world. I just said a prayer that you would make one step today towards the dream He’s given you! Have a wonderful day 🙂

  4. Since coming home from the conference I have found the 15 min challenge to be the place I move from being paralyzed to stepping out. I have not done huge things, I have done little things that I could do in 15 minutes. It has given me hope and I am pressing on. Thanks for sharing where you are and where many of us dwell as well!

    • Mandy, (I love your name 😉 I loved that 15 minute challenge that Darren gave. Since getting my kick in the booty from the Lord on Monday, this is what I’ve started as well– it’s been great so far! Thank you for your words 🙂

      • I think I might have to incorporate the 15 minute challenge into my life as well, sounds like the way to go for a busy mama like me!

        • Yes, That is what I got too! When I came home The Lord outlined 15minute increments to accomplish several items on my to do list! Love that we hear the same Lord!

  5. Mandy such great words. This pitfall is always near to me. I have not implemented all I planned and had my busyness as a handy excuse. But honestly sometimes (often) its just plain fear. I really want to move forward. I will move forward. I can’t wait to move forward together! (like my self-talk?) 😉

  6. Okay, I have to recommend Crystal Paine’s book 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life. It’s all about breaking down those grand goals into manageable chunks and sticking with it, daily to create new habits. I’m hosting a challenge through the book on my blog and it has been really good. Because I often find myself falling into that same routine of wanting to do so many things, but being so scared I do nothing instead. Here’s the link to the book if you want to check it out: tiny.cc/3egamw (affiliate link)

  7. Absolutely! I have found myself in your shoes more often than I can count, unfortunately. God is good, though, and nudges us—or whacks us on the back of the head if need be—to help us move forward.

    A thought just occurred to me: Imagine if as babies we knew how often we would fall before we got the hang of walking. Would we begin, or would we choose to just sit safely on our cute baby bottoms? I think the same is true of going after our goals: We need to get out of our comfort zone and embrace taking those baby steps forward, falls and all!

    Thanks for the encouragement today. 🙂

    • Kim,
      Great thought! I want to get off that cute baby butt and move forward–great visual 🙂 Glad you can relate, thanks for stepping forward with me 🙂

  8. That picture is gorgeous. Stunning and peaceful. Maybe in the midst of your waiting peace can come and sit with you awhile. Writing is hard and it takes energy and prayer to do it well. God will give you the desires of your heart as you wait and listen.

  9. Wow! What a great post. That is the way I feel too. Like Amy Tilson, I am a planner but sometimes get so focused on setting up a schedule or making a plan it bogs me down. Then, I am too paralyzed or overwhelmed to accomplish anything. I want to write, God is leading me to write, but I also have learned I need to have my house in order first – homeschooling, meals planned, planning time for managing my household. I am working through the process of finding time for all that I am called to do by using Amy Lynn Andrews, “Tell Your Time”. I want so much to start the “21 Days to More Discipline” but I felt I needed a game plan before that. I will definitely be using “21 Days” as soon as I get a time game plan.

    • Thank you, Nellie for your kind words, and for sharing so freely! I feel so full knowing that other people struggle with paralysis in these situations too. I pray that you can solidify a plan and take it one step at a time to accomplish your goals 🙂

  10. Oh Mandy, get outta my head, girl! I feel the same way after the conference! Life hit full force (hurricane + sick child + full time job leaves no time for blogging & social media) and now I just don’t know where to begin. Praying motivation & encouragement over you as you step out in faith. Awesome post, friend 🙂

    • Thanks, Crystal! Hope your babe is feeling better and you didn’t have much storm damage! I just said some prayers for you–that God would show you which step to take first, and that He’d give you an extra ounce of motivation to get moving 😉 Have a beatufiul afternoon!

  11. What? Were you in on my conversation with God this morning???? I felt like I had a 15 minutes outline for the day ( like Mandy) but I felt like I was to write a 30 day series and to be honest I’m paralyzed with fear! Time to kick that one to the street and get busy obeying!

    • Oh my, I L-O-V-E how He works! Doesn’t He just blow your mind–speaks to you when you need it, pushes you along when you really need it! Beautiful! So glad He’s working on you as well 🙂

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