Choosing Grace Today

Hello RCD readers,

We wake up with a mindset that today will be amazing. We make our lists. We try to get to bed early. We calm our nerves with prayer before the day begins. We stock the fridge, plan and successfully host a fun back-to-school event for the family, and we try to go with the flow. Yet, we know that when the "back-against-the-wall" moments come, simply saying, "God, I’m surrendering this to You," feels like an understatement. So, we choose to have faith.

But then, the alarm goes off—and you don't hear it. The to-do list shifts from priorities to whatever might make us feel good in the moment. Your energy dips. You procrastinate. Your mind tells you to check off the list, but your body begs for rest. Suddenly, negative thoughts creep in, uninvited.

We start seeing the list as a mountain to climb. Each unchecked item brings a wave of "what-ifs." The pressure of things not going according to plan starts to set in. You find yourself spiritually and mentally fighting, using prayer and conversations with your inner self to stay grounded. You turn to Scripture, you cling to what God is teaching you this week, and you focus on the little things to keep from spiraling. You become the level-headed one, holding the space so the rest of the house doesn't fall into a panic.

I’ve realized that overexplaining won't help; taking a step back will. It helps me see the bigger picture—that what is meant to be possible is already perfectly on schedule.

This waiting season isn’t my first, so why do I still feel like I’m failing if I’m not constantly productive? It hit me: faith isn't the absence of a negative mindset; it’s the remembrance of who is in control when my flesh is making more noise than my spirit.

I am anchoring my heart in Philippians 4:6–7, which reminds me: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

So, this week, I’m giving myself grace. I’ve stepped back from that high-paced, rushed feeling that was only fueling my anxiety. I’m not obsessing over the end result; I am focusing on the small, necessary steps directly in front of me. I am silencing the noise with prayer and wisdom, and most importantly, I am finally forgiving myself for being impatient.