Transform the Word

Recently, my wife and I found ourselves in a bit of a jam — both spiritually and physically. The last two years have tested nearly every area of our lives: our faith, our patience, our marriage, and even our sense of direction. We’ve prayed, we’ve worked, we’ve cried, and at times, we’ve wondered if God was even listening.

But then, in the middle of an ordinary conversation, something extraordinary happened. My wife was sharing her heart, explaining how no matter how hard she tried, she just couldn’t change the narrative of what’s been happening. That’s when God stopped me in my tracks and spoke directly to my spirit:

“You can’t change the narrative, but you can change your approach.”

That hit me like a thunderclap.

Our approach had been to keep pushing harder — to pray for the same outcomes, to strive for the same goals, to force open doors that God may have already closed. We were trying to fix the story instead of surrendering the pen to the Author.

And maybe… just maybe, that’s why nothing was changing.

Sometimes, God allows our old methods to fail so that He can teach us a new way. He isn’t punishing us — He’s redirecting us. Isaiah 43:18–19 reminds us,

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

When we cling to what used to work, we miss what God is trying to do now. The “wilderness” moments — the seasons of confusion, exhaustion, and disappointment — are often the very soil where God begins planting His “new thing.”

Over the last few days, I’ve been realizing just how powerful a simple change in approach can be. Not changing the dream, not changing the faith — but changing how we walk it out. God will often bring us to the end of ourselves so that we finally look up and say, “Lord, what do You want me to do differently?”

Proverbs 3:5–6 says it best:

“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.”

Maybe you’re in a similar season — stuck in a loop, feeling like the story of your life just won’t shift no matter what you try. If that’s you, take heart. You may not be able to change the narrative, but you can absolutely change your approach.

Call to Action

This week, take time to pause and ask God:

“Lord, is it my approach that needs to change?”

Lay down your plans, your strategies, even your expectations — and invite Him to rewrite the way you move forward. Sometimes breakthrough doesn’t come from doing more — it comes from doing it differently, with God leading the way.

Let Him guide your next step, and trust that even if you can’t see the full picture, the Author of your story is still writing — and He’s not done yet.