Undoubtedly, you’ve heard those three words over the course of your life. Of course, what do I know? Maybe you haven’t – until now. Either way. These words of wisdom have over time been applied to all manner of life’s pursuits. Whether you’re an athlete training for your event, a creative who is writing, building, producing, or whatever it is that your medium reqiuires. Or perhaps you’re a parent. Maybe you’re in recovery.
The encouragement to trust the process is one oft repeated. It’s one worth remembering, particularly when feeling discouraged.
I try to take my own advice
As a creative (and a parent), a lot of my endeavors require an eye on the long game. As someone who is incredibly impatient (and possibly suffering from undiagnosed ADHD) trusting the process can feel almost painful at times. Thankfully, reminders to do so are plentiful.
As I was reading my daily devotions this morning, I remembered the story of the Healing of Naaman from the book of 2nd Kings in the Bible. The story wasn’t actually part of today’s devotional verses, but it popped in my head nonetheless as these things tend to do.
In a nutshell…
The story of Naaman which you can read in full here, basically is about this important guy named Naaman who has leprosy. He hears about a prophet who can cure him. He goes to the prophet (Elisha) to be cured. Elisha sends a servant to tell Naaman to go wash in the Jordan and he’ll be healed. Naaman is upset that Elisha didn’t bother to come out and speak to him in person. He’s also upset that the proffered cure is so simple.
Namaan struggles to believe. He gets angry because this falls short of his expectations. His servants finally talk some sense into him when they say, “Father, if the prophet had commanded you to do something difficult, would you not have done it? How much more, when all he said to you was, ‘Wash, and be clean’?”
Too often we fail to trust the process. Too often we try to forgo something as simple as consistency for something big and impressive.
To achieve what you’ve set out to do
Keep these five things in mind (in no particular order):
- Consider that good things take time. If you dig a hole and put a tulip bulb in that hole in the fall, it will be spring before you see the green leaves emerge followed by the beautiful flower.
- Believe in and envision the outcome as you work daily toward your dream.
- Pray – If God can cure leprosy, whatever you’re striving for isn’t beyond his/her abilities either.
- Remember that doing is learning. Your initial output may not be as awesome as you’d like it to be. But the more a person does anything, the better they get. We weren’t born knowing how to walk, yet we get there after a short period of being a “toddler” where we”re walking unsteadily. We weren’t born knowing how, when or where to go to the bathroom. Yet, through “potty training” that is riddled with plenty of “accidents” we figure it out.
- Embrace the journey. Whatever it is you’re trying to perfect – whether becoming the perfect parent or a concert level cellist, the practicing and interaction with what you love is a beautiful part of the process.
If you want to read more about Trusting the Process check out this article that addresses that overall theme.
Share what great achievements you’re pursuing in the comments. Don’t forget to share what helps you trust the process, I’d love to know!