Welcome back, friends, I want to share something we don’t always like to talk about—the testing.
The moments when things don’t go the way we expected. The times when we step out in faith, full of excitement and hope, only to feel like we’ve hit a wall.
I’ll be honest with you—I’ve just walked through one of those seasons myself. You know how much I’ve poured into the 2025 Success to Significance Women’s Summit. I had a vision, I prayed, I planned, I put my whole heart into it. And yet, the response was… not what I expected.
It would have been easy to feel discouraged—to question, to wonder, Did I hear God wrong? But here’s what I’ve learned in my walk with the Lord: God is in the testing.
Just because something doesn’t unfold the way we imagined doesn’t mean God isn’t in it. In fact, it often means He’s working in ways we can’t see yet.
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
Sometimes, God allows the testing to refine our faith, to strip away our own expectations, and to open our hearts to what He truly wants to do. And that’s exactly what He’s been doing in me.
As I sat with this, as I prayed, I felt God gently whisper, "I’m not closing the door—I’m shifting the direction."
I realized that the summit wasn’t just about embracing our stories—it was about discovering our heart’s song. That deep, God-given calling that’s been inside of us all along. The one that may have been buried under years of responsibilities, struggles, and self-doubt.
And so, with an open heart, I’ve surrendered this event back to Him. Instead of forcing something to fit my vision, I’m trusting Him to shape it into His vision because He knows the way to go.
Maybe you’re in a season of testing, too. Maybe you’ve stepped out in faith, only to feel like the doors aren’t opening. Perhaps you’re wondering if you should give up, if you missed something, if God is even listening.
Let me encourage you today—He is with you in the testing.
He is refining you. He is stretching your faith. He is making a way where you can’t see one yet.
But here’s the key—we have to keep our hearts open to receive. When we stop gripping so tightly to our plans, we free our hands to receive His. And trust me, His plans are always so much greater than we could ever imagine.
So, my friend, if you’re in a season where things aren’t going as planned, I want to challenge you—don’t lose heart. Instead, ask God:
- What are You teaching me in this?
- Where are You leading me?
- How can I surrender this to You?
And then, be willing to listen. Be willing to pivot. Be willing to trust that He is making a way—even when you can’t see it yet.
I am walking this journey with you. I am trusting with you. And I cannot wait to see where God leads next.
Just take a moment to pray over whatever God is shifting in your life.
Until next time—walk in faith, love, and peace.
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It's a new year, a fresh start for us—and it can be for you too! It truly is a new beginning- embracing our stories and discovering our heart's song!
With joy and blessings,
Dr. Deborah