There are seasons when joy and weariness walk side by side. We’re grateful for the blessings God pours out, yet at the same time, we can feel the weight of our limits pressing in.
This past weekend was one of those seasons for me. It was full of encouragement, fellowship, and truth—but also full of travel, little sleep, and physical exhaustion. And yet, in the middle of that tension, God gently taught me something about the strength of the mind and the power of simply taking the first step.
A Tiring but Blessed Weekend
Last weekend, my small group went on a two-day Singles Conference. It was an amazing experience—eight powerful sessions covering topics like walking in faith, discipleship, conflict resolution, purity, stewardship, and more. Each message was rich with wisdom, and I felt deeply encouraged.
But alongside the blessing was also the reality of exhaustion.
The event started early and ended late on both days. Because we had a fellowship the night before, I had very little sleep going in. The venue was far from home, so travel added to the fatigue. By Saturday night, my body was drained. And by Sunday morning during worship, I could hardly keep my eyes open.
After service, I knew we still had our youth and young professionals fellowship. But my body was crying out for rest. I wanted to go home, crawl into bed, and stay there. My mind felt foggy and unmotivated.
At the same time, though, I knew the commitment I had made—to my group and, more importantly, to the Lord. That tug-of-war inside me was real. One side said, “Just go home. No one will blame you.” The other side whispered, “Stay. Show up. You promised.”
So, in that moment, I remembered something simple I often tell myself:
“Just start pulling one chair.”
And that’s exactly what I did. Instead of walking out, I grabbed one chair and pulled it into position for our circle. Then I pulled another. And another. Slowly, others began to notice. Soon, people were gathering, sitting down, and the fellowship was beginning.
Something shifted inside me as this happened. My body was still tired, but my heart was refreshed. The heaviness I felt started to fade. The very act of taking that first step changed everything.
Why the First Step Feels So Hard
Sometimes, the ‘first step’ feels heavier than all the rest, doesn’t it?
- The first step of opening your Bible when you feel spiritually dry.
- The first step of lacing your shoes when you don’t feel like exercising.
- The first step of saying hello to someone new when you feel shy.
- The first step of writing a single word when your mind feels blank.
It’s as if everything in us resists that beginning. Our bodies crave comfort. Our emotions whisper excuses. Our minds come up with reasons why tomorrow might be better.
But once we begin, something shifts. Momentum starts to build. What felt impossible a moment ago suddenly feels doable.
That’s why the Bible often emphasizes faith as a step. It’s not about having everything figured out—it’s about starting where you are and trusting God with the rest.
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” —2 Corinthians 5:7
Walking begins with one step. And that one step is where faith and strength begin to grow.
Building a Strong Mind: More Than Just Willpower
But how do we develop a mind that can take those first steps, even when life feels heavy? How do we build a mind that doesn’t give up easily, but learns to persevere in faith?
I’ve been reflecting on three key things that help us grow in this area: discipline, routine, and prayer.
Let’s take a deeper look at each of these.
1. Discipline: Choosing Faithfulness Over Feelings
The word discipline doesn’t sound appealing at first. For many of us, it feels like restriction or even punishment. But in Scripture, discipline is a gift—it’s training that prepares us for maturity and godliness.
Paul wrote about this using the image of an athlete:
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”
—1 Corinthians 9:24–27
Athletes train even when they don’t feel like it. They push past comfort because they know the reward is greater. In the same way, discipline helps us train our minds to obey what is good and lasting, not just what feels easy in the moment.
For me, discipline shows up in small ways:
- Writing even when I don’t feel creative.
- Showing up at fellowship even when I feel tired.
- Choosing prayer over endless scrolling on my phone.
Each of these choices strengthens my mind to follow through, even when emotions say otherwise.
💡 Practical encouragement: Start small. Discipline grows little by little.
- Maybe your first step is committing to read one Psalm each morning.
- Or maybe it’s praying before you scroll.
Don’t pressure yourself with huge leaps—faith grows step by step.
2. Routine: Creating Rhythms That Anchor Us
If discipline is about starting, routine is about continuing.
One of the most beautiful things about Jesus’ life on earth was His rhythm. Luke 5:16 tells us:
“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”
He didn’t just pray when it was convenient. He had a rhythm of retreating into prayer, no matter how busy or crowded His days were. That routine anchored Him and gave Him strength for ministry.
Routines help us when motivation runs low. Think about brushing your teeth—you don’t debate it every morning. You just do it because it’s part of your rhythm. In the same way, spiritual routines—time in Scripture, worship, fellowship—help anchor our minds.
For me, a simple morning routine makes all the difference. A cup of coffee, an open Bible, a few minutes to pray. It sets the tone for my whole day.
💡 Practical encouragement: Choose one routine that helps you stay grounded.
- It could be journaling your prayers before bed.
- It could be a Sunday walk with the Lord.
It doesn’t need to be complicated—just consistent.
3. Prayer: Letting God Renew Our Minds
Discipline and routine matter, but prayer is what truly transforms us.
Romans 12:2 reminds us:
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind…”
Our minds aren’t renewed by sheer willpower. They’re renewed by the Spirit of God. Prayer is how we invite Him to shape our thoughts, calm our anxieties, and strengthen our faith.
When I feel tired or unmotivated, prayer shifts my focus. Instead of staring at my weakness, I’m reminded of God’s strength. Instead of listening to my doubts, I hear His promises.
💡 Practical encouragement: Keep prayer simple and frequent.
- Whisper short prayers throughout your day.
- Pray Scripture back to God.
- Invite a friend to pray with you.
Remember, prayer is less about saying the “right” words and more about connecting your heart to His.
The Daily Battle
The truth is, the battle between the flesh and the Spirit is ongoing. Some days, you’ll feel motivated and strong. Other days, you’ll feel weary and tempted to give up. But that’s normal.
The key is perseverance.
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” —Galatians 6:9
A strong mind doesn’t mean a mind that never struggles. It means a mind that keeps showing up. That takes one step of faith, even in weakness. That chooses to trust God’s strength over its own.
Gentle Examples for Everyday Life
Building a strong mind isn’t just about big spiritual moments. It’s also about small, daily choices.
- When you feel too tired to read your Bible: Open it anyway and read few verses. God can meet you even there.
- When you don’t feel like praying: Whisper a simple, honest prayer: “Lord, I need You. Guide me.”
- When you’re discouraged about your work: Remind yourself why you started and do one small task.
Each of these is a “chair-pulling” moment. Small steps that open the way for God’s strength to flow.
Final Encouragement
Just as that weekend reminded me, life will always bring seasons that are both tiring and blessed. We will have days when our hearts are full yet our bodies feel weak, when our spirits long to press on but our minds feel scattered. In those moments, the first step often feels the heaviest—but it is also the most powerful.
Remember: God meets us in our small beginnings. He strengthens us not after we have it all together, but right in the middle of our weakness.
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’”
—2 Corinthians 12:9
So take the first step. Pull the first chair. Trust Him to provide the strength you need for the rest.
And as you walk in discipline, build steady routines, and lean on Him in prayer, may you discover that God is not only building a strong mind in you—He is shaping a faithful heart that reflects His grace and perseverance.
Faithfully,
Yani 💛
Reflection Questions for You
- What “first step” have you been avoiding lately because it feels too hard?
- In what area of your life is God asking you to practice discipline?
- How can you weave prayer more naturally into your day-to-day life?
Let’s Stay Connected!
I’d love to continue walking this journey of faith and growth with you. If today’s reflections encouraged you, would you take a moment to:
- Subscribe to receive new posts straight to your inbox so we can keep learning and growing together.
- Like and Share this post with a friend who may also need encouragement today.
- Leave a Comment below—I’d love to hear your thoughts, stories, or even how God is teaching you to build a stronger mind and heart in your own season.
Your words and presence here truly mean so much. Together, we can keep reminding one another of God’s truth and love. 💛
Related Posts:
- The Weight of the Cross: Why Did Jesus Have to Die?
- Stop Striving, Start Living: Learning to Rest in God’s Fullness
- How to Start a Meaningful Quiet Time With God Through Journaling (Tips and Encouragement)
- What Does It Take to Build a Small Group? 3 Lessons from My Journey in Discipleship
- Is Jesus Truly Lord in Your Life? 3 Practical Ways to Live in Obedience
- How to Handle Success Without Losing Sight of God: 3 Guidelines to Help You Stay Faithful
- Afraid of Failing God? 3 Truths to Remember About Our Weakness and His Grace
- How Do We Serve with Love in Ministry? 3 Ways to Guard Our Words and Build Others Up
- How to Live Out the Great Commission: 4 Ways to Share the Gospel Daily
Leave a Reply