Episode 13
13 | Before Clarity: Learning to Trust God When You Don't See the Plan
Are you ready to explore the wild world of trust and purpose?
Today, we’re diving into how trusting God can sometimes feel like a leap of faith into a bottomless pit—especially when life’s uncertainties loom large. We all have those pesky doubts that creep in, especially if we’ve been let down in the past. But here’s the scoop: those doubts are often just limiting beliefs, and we’re going to tackle them head-on!
I’m Michelle, your go-to guide on this journey, and I’ve been in the same boat, feeling lost and unsure. So grab your notebook, and let’s work together to rewrite those beliefs with some good ol’ scripture and truth. It’s time to trust the One who holds your future, even when you can’t see the whole picture yet!
Let's get comfy and ignite that purpose!
I pray that this episode blesses and encourages you!
Michelle
Next Steps:
✨ Deepen Your Journey, Join the Catholic Moms Community Here
✨ Receive Weekly Encouragement and Action Steps to Help You Move Forward with God: Subscribed to the Ignite Circle: The Inner Flame Here
✨ Feedback or Questions? Contact me at hello@michellebrannam.com
Scripture Mentioned:
Proverbs 3:5-6
Transcript
This inner programming, this subconscious conditioning, it can block your ability to trust.
Speaker A:Especially if your trust has been broken in the past or you've been internalizing doubts from people around you.
Speaker A:And while those beliefs may feel like facts, they're not.
Speaker A:If you've ever found yourself saying, I want to know that I'm living out the plan that God has for me, but I don't even know what that plan is, this episode is for you.
Speaker A:Grab your notebook, journal and pen because today we're going deep.
Speaker A:Let's dive in.
Speaker A:Are you ready to break free from feeling stuck, gain clarity and take intentional steps towards discovering your unique purpose, all while following God's guidance to become the person that he created you to be?
Speaker A:If so, you are in the right place.
Speaker A:Hi, I'm Michelle, a mom, wife, Catholic discernment mentor, and spiritual coach.
Speaker A:I've been where you are, feeling lost and uncertain about my purpose.
Speaker A:But through a Catholic based strategy of discernment, I found clarity, confidently embraced my calling, and learned to hear God's voice in my life.
Speaker A:And now I want to help you do the same.
Speaker A:Grab your pen, get your notebook and get comfy.
Speaker A:Open your heart and mind and invite God in.
Speaker A:It's time to ignite your purpose and start living the life God created you for.
Speaker A:Let's do this.
Speaker A:When we do not see the future and the future is unknown, it can be scary to place trust in something or someone.
Speaker A:Especially when it comes to discovering and living out our unique God given purpose.
Speaker A:We don't always know what God is calling us to and that uncertainty alone can bring fear.
Speaker A:And before we even start to explore what our God given purpose might be, we can feel lost, unsure of where to begin.
Speaker A:And sometimes just thinking about what his plans might be can feel overwhelming.
Speaker A:What if they don't match what we hoped for?
Speaker A:And if that's where you're sitting right now, you're sitting in the unknown, wondering how to trust God with what you can't even see yet?
Speaker A:This episode is for you.
Speaker A:Because clarity doesn't always come first.
Speaker A:Sometimes trust does.
Speaker A:Sometimes.
Speaker A:Today we're going to talk about what it looks like to trust God before that clarity comes and how that mindset we carry into that waiting space can either hold us back or open us up to something beautiful.
Speaker A:After spending time in prayer, journaling and asking God to reveal how he uniquely designed me, I began to feel confident in the purpose that he had placed in my heart.
Speaker A:I could see it clearly.
Speaker A:I knew where he was calling me to serve and I felt a deep sense of peace.
Speaker A:Knowing I was finally stepping into the purpose that he created just for for me.
Speaker A:I remember thinking, this is it.
Speaker A:This is what I was made for.
Speaker A:But then one night, after getting the kids bathed and tucked into bed, I was finally winding down after another long day at a stay at home.
Speaker A:Mom.
Speaker A:I was heading into the shower, just a quiet moment to myself, and this thought suddenly popped into my mind.
Speaker A:What if God's plan for me isn't what I was hoping it would be?
Speaker A:That question stopped me in my tracks.
Speaker A:I spend time in scripture, I seek him daily.
Speaker A:But that doubt, it creeped in.
Speaker A:What if his plans doesn't align with what I want?
Speaker A:What if I can't trust Him?
Speaker A:And then I really paused and reflected and I realized, trust is hard for me.
Speaker A:Growing up, friendships, they weren't easy.
Speaker A:I had very few close friends, and many of those friendships ended with her.
Speaker A:I had been let down, overlooked and left out.
Speaker A:And then somewhere along the way, I internalized the belief that people just can't be trusted.
Speaker A:My immediate family, they've always been there.
Speaker A:They've been my safe place.
Speaker A:But when it comes to friendships or opening my heart to others, even saying the word friend is hard for me to say.
Speaker A:I think some of that mistrust carried over into how I view my relationship with God.
Speaker A:I know he's good.
Speaker A:I know he's faithful.
Speaker A:But sometimes, because of those past wounds that I have, I still wrestle with whether I can trust him, whether with everything, especially the things closest to my heart.
Speaker A:And maybe you've been there too.
Speaker A:You're doing the best to seek God.
Speaker A:You're showing up, you're praying, you're journaling, and you're even stepping out in obedience.
Speaker A:But somewhere beneath it all, there's still a quiet question.
Speaker A:Can I really trust that God's plan is good for me?
Speaker A:That's the space I want to gently walk with you through today.
Speaker A:Because here's what I've learned in my own journey.
Speaker A:The fear, the doubt, the hesitation, they don't make you weak.
Speaker A:They actually reveal places in your heart that God wants to heal.
Speaker A:And sometimes that fear comes from something deeper.
Speaker A:A limiting belief, a thought that feels true because of our past experiences or pain, but isn't actually the truth that God speaks over your life.
Speaker A:So in the rest of this episode, we're going to explore what limiting beliefs around trust sound like.
Speaker A:How to recognize when one is holding you back.
Speaker A:And how to begin rewriting those beliefs with scripture and truth.
Speaker A:So in the rest of this episode, we're going to explore what limiting beliefs around trust sound like how to recognize when one is holding you back, and how to begin rewriting those beliefs with scripture and truth.
Speaker A:Because trusting God before the clarity comes, that's not easy.
Speaker A:But it's where so much transformation happens.
Speaker A:Let's dive in.
Speaker A:When you struggle to trust God that he has a plan for you, what you're dealing with is a limiting belief.
Speaker A:A limiting belief is a thought that feels true, but it's not.
Speaker A:It's something not true, but rather something we've accepted, often without realizing it because of past experiences, our parents, our family, or the messages that we've absorbed from the world around us.
Speaker A:It's the way our subconscious has been programmed.
Speaker A:Over time.
Speaker A:These thoughts, they take root in our subconscious, shaped by what others have said, what we've seen, and what we to believe about ourselves and about God.
Speaker A:They live under the surface, and they quietly shape how we see ourselves, how we relate to God, and how boldly we're willing to step into the unknown mindset.
Speaker A:They affect your faith walk because if you don't believe God has a beautiful intentional plan for you, how can you even trust him to follow it?
Speaker A:This inner programming, this subconscious conditioning, can block your ability to trust.
Speaker A:Especially if your trust has been broken in the past or.
Speaker A:Or you've internalized doubt from people around you.
Speaker A:And while those beliefs, they may feel like facts, they're not.
Speaker A:You have the power through God's grace, to renew your mind.
Speaker A:You can shift your thoughts.
Speaker A:You can replace fear with faith and doubt with divine truth.
Speaker A:You have the ability to reprogram your subconscious.
Speaker A:Let's start working on your mindset around trust in general, and especially around trusting God.
Speaker A:One of the most powerful ways to work on your mindset and reprogram your subconscious is through evaluating a lie from the truth.
Speaker A:On a piece of paper in your journal, write down the limiting belief that you have, AKA the lie that you're telling yourself.
Speaker A:That's what it is.
Speaker A:I'm the person that tells you like it is, so let's call it like it is.
Speaker A:And if your limiting belief is not trusting God, that you actually do trust God, then write down a different limiting belief that you have that you're experiencing instead.
Speaker A:So on your piece of paper, I want you to write down the words limiting belief.
Speaker A:Then write your limiting belief.
Speaker A:And this could look like I struggle to trust God and his plan for me.
Speaker A:Now that we identified the limiting belief around trust, it's time to speak what's true.
Speaker A:So on your journal page, right under where you wrote limiting belief, I want you to write God's truth and then in parentheses, found in scripture.
Speaker A:That's God's truth in parentheses, found in Scripture.
Speaker A:This is where we shift our focus.
Speaker A:We don't want to just rely on positive thinking or own logic.
Speaker A:We want to turn to God's word.
Speaker A:Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as you open your Bible.
Speaker A:And let's turn to Proverbs 3, 5, 6, just to help you get started.
Speaker A:Read the verse and then I want you to write it down.
Speaker A:And you can speak it out loud if you need to as well.
Speaker A:But I definitely want you to write this down.
Speaker A:Let it become your anchor, your reminder that when you can't see the plan, you can trust the one who does.
Speaker A:This verse is your anchor of truth, a steady place to return to when the lie tries to creep back in.
Speaker A:It's how you hold on to God's truth in the face of that false belief that you've been telling yourself.
Speaker A:After writing down the verse, I would like for you to write God's truth and then in parentheses in your own words.
Speaker A:That's God's truth in parentheses in.
Speaker A:In your own words.
Speaker A:And I want you to reflect on it.
Speaker A:What is God saying to you through this truth?
Speaker A:Then write your reflection down and you might write something down like this.
Speaker A:God's plan for me is good even when I can't see it yet.
Speaker A:He's guiding me step by step.
Speaker A:And I don't have to figure it all out.
Speaker A:Just follow Him.
Speaker A:And now take what you've just written, your limiting belief, the truth of God's word, and the truth that you've spoken over yourself, and bring it into prayer.
Speaker A:We come humbly before God and ask him for his help on this, to help you to trust Him.
Speaker A:This can be something as simple as God, I struggle to trust you.
Speaker A:Please help me to trust you.
Speaker A:This is something that I implement and I've asked Jesus to help me.
Speaker A:I need your help.
Speaker A:I cannot do this alone.
Speaker A:I need your help.
Speaker A:Please help me.
Speaker A:I've done this many times.
Speaker A:It's just so important to turn to God's Word first and not just your own strength or logic.
Speaker A:Because real, lasting transformation doesn't happen alone.
Speaker A:It happens when we partner with God.
Speaker A:We renew our mind and soul with his help through his truth and by his grace and sister in Christ.
Speaker A:God just isn't willing to meet you there.
Speaker A:He delights in walking this journey with you.
Speaker A:I know this might feel small, but this is where the shift begins.
Speaker A:Every time you rewrite that lie and choose truth instead, you're retraining your mind to align with heaven.
Speaker A:You're not just working on mindset, you're renewing your soul.
Speaker A:And trust me, that will change everything.
Speaker A:Let's pause and reflect on a few key truths from today's episode.
Speaker A:Because even before that clarity comes, there are powerful things that you can hold onto right now.
Speaker A:Number one, struggling to trust God with your future often points to a limiting belief, not a lack of faith.
Speaker A:When we bring those beliefs into light, God can begin to transform them with truth.
Speaker A:Number two, limiting belief feels true, but they are not the truth.
Speaker A:Many are rooted in our past experiences, fear, or the expectations of others.
Speaker A:But God invites you to renew your mind with His Word.
Speaker A:Number three, you don't have to figure it all out to move forward.
Speaker A:God reveals your purpose step by step, not all at once.
Speaker A:Trust grows in the small, faithful yeses.
Speaker A:And lastly, transformation happens when you partner with God through prayer, scripture and surrender.
Speaker A:You don't just shift your mindset, you renew your soul by his grace.
Speaker A:Let us pray in the name of the Father, Son, Holy Spirit.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:Thank you God.
Speaker A:Thank you for being patient with me in the waiting.
Speaker A:When I struggle to trust you, remind me of your faithfulness.
Speaker A:Help me to release the lies that I've believed and replace them with your truth.
Speaker A:I don't have to see the full picture to say yes.
Speaker A:I just need to trust the one who holds it.
Speaker A:Teach me to walk with you even before the clarity comes.
Speaker A:I invite you to renew my mind, restore my soul, and lead me one step at a time in Jesus name in the name of the Father, Son, Holy Spirit.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:Knowledge is power, but true change happens when we pair it with consistent daily action.
Speaker A:We cannot gain clarity if we're not taking daily action to help us move forward.
Speaker A:With that said, I would like to have you sit down with your journal and your Bible and just spend some time reflecting on your limiting belief on trusting God.
Speaker A:This is a powerful exercise that aids in your transformation into becoming who God created you to be.
Speaker A:Then just rewind back to those steps.
Speaker A:Really dive deep into this because this is very beneficial.
Speaker A:Really spend some time with God and I'd like for you to come over and share inside the Facebook community Finding your purpose, discernment and strategy for Catholic Moms when it comes to trusting God with your purpose, what did you find most challenging right now?
Speaker A:Remember, my beautiful sister in Christ, that God uniquely created you for a unique purpose.
Speaker A:You were made to do great things.
Speaker A:God is within you and you will not fail.
Speaker A:Go out and ignite your purpose.
Speaker A:God's not done writing your story.
Speaker A:I look forward to continuing this journey with you.
Speaker A:I'll meet you next Tuesday for another conversation.
Speaker A:Until then, may God bless you.
Speaker A:Thank you so much for joining me today.
Speaker A:I pray that today's episode blesses and encourages you.
Speaker A:If so, would you please share it with someone you know that would be blessed by it?
Speaker A:If you felt inspired or you learned something Today, please take 30 seconds to leave a written review on Apple Podcasts.
Speaker A:This is the number one way to let me know that you are liking the show and for me to reach other Catholic women like yourself.
Speaker A:If you're feeling uncertain or you're lost on your discernment journey, you're not alone.
Speaker A:Join us over in the free Facebook community Finding youg Purpose, Discernment and Strategy for Catholic Moms, where Catholic women just like you are sharing, supporting and growing together in faith.
Speaker A:I look forward to continuing this journey with you.
Speaker A:I'll meet you next Tuesday for another conversation.
Speaker A:God bless.
