By Kathryn Barney

“Every ounce of energy you invest in pursuing your goals will help you grow toward God’s plan for you . . . even if you end up somewhere you hadn’t counted on.” - Chip Gaines

Like Leslie teaches, God can’t steer a parked car. I have to be moving forward if I want Heavenly Father to show me where to go, if I want Him to help me reach my destination.

Every action I take, every step forward, is causing my desired results to move closer to me.

I recently started working on creating a new business. I frequently feel overwhelmed, and I always feel like I’m in over my head. WAY over my head. More than half of the time, I don’t know what I’m doing. I often don’t even know enough to know what questions to ask.

One day, as the negative thoughts started swirling, I said to myself, “I can’t do this.”

Almost immediately, this little truth nugget popped into my brain, as if Christ were speaking to me:

“No, you can’t do this. But I can. Let me walk with you, and I will show you the way.”

The answer was clear: God just needs me to be a tool in His hand.

Each day since then, I try to take even one small step forward. I do what I can do. I reach out to people who know more than I do. Some days I have more time, so I spend more time and I work harder. Some days I have very little time. My goal is to do something for my business even on those days when it feels like I have no time or no energy to give.

And when I get discouraged, I remember that every ounce of energy is moving me forward, is creating an effect, and that the Lord will make up the difference.

Here are some steps I take that cause the effects I’m seeking:

I start each day with prayer and meditation to determine what the Lord feels is most important for my focus that day. This puts me in alignment with the most important tasks.

I aim for one prayer a day that is only gratitude. I remember to express my thanks for even the hardest challenges I am working through. This brings the light of Christ into my mind and heart so I am in tune with any inspiration that He may wish to send me.

I have a list of “daily rituals” that I am determined to accomplish every day. This list includes my basic self-care such as exercise and scripture study. It includes my most basic tasks for home maintenance and family relationships -- those things that I feel are essential to accomplish every day, regardless of my schedule. This keeps me focused on my most important priorities so I’m not sidetracked and consumed by my business.

And, of course, I take those steps forward that I am prompted to take. It is slower than I would like. I’m an impatient person when it comes to my goals. If I decide to do something, I want it to be done yesterday! But I keep seeing Heavenly Father bring people, ideas, and things into my life, things that are invaluable for my goals, things that I didn’t even know I needed.

My steps forward are definitely causing things to happen.

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