Have you ever had a season where you’re doing all the things—showing up, working hard, keeping the commitments, tending to everyone and everything—and yet somehow, nothing seems to be moving? You keep waiting for the breakthrough, the momentum, the clarity, the “finally,” but instead you feel stuck in the middle. Not lost, not broken, just in that quiet, frustrating place between what you’ve prayed for and what hasn’t happened yet.

I’ve been sitting in my own version of that space lately. It’s not dramatic or chaotic. It’s subtle. Slow. Almost unnoticeable from the outside. But on the inside, it feels like a long stretch of waiting. The work is there. The effort is real. The desire is honest. But the results…they’re taking their sweet time.

This week, something shifted for me during my conversation with Dr. Traci Lynn. We talked about the parts of growth no one celebrates—the repetition, the discipline, the quiet consistency that happens long before results show up. And she reminded me of something I needed to hear again: the middle isn’t the punishment. It’s the preparation.

Because breakthroughs don’t happen at the beginning or the end. They happen right here—where progress feels slow, where the work feels heavier than the reward, and where you’re becoming the woman who can carry the things you’ve been praying for.

Growth rarely shows up in loud, obvious ways. Most of it happens beneath the surface—through the days you choose discipline over emotion, the moments you stay committed without applause, and the identity shifts happening inside you long before anything changes outside of you.

And even if you can’t see the progress yet, it doesn’t mean nothing is happening. Slow seasons still move. Delays don’t cancel what’s meant for you. Quiet stretches don’t mean God stepped away. Sometimes the middle stretches us in ways we won’t understand until we’re looking back.

Sometimes in seasons like this, what we need most is grounding—a way to steady ourselves when the pace feels slower than the desire.

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3 Steps to Stay Steady When Growth Feels Slow

1. Name the doubt—but don’t let it drive.
It’s normal to question yourself in seasons where the results aren’t visible. Acknowledge the fear, the frustration, the impatience—but don’t let those feelings dictate your decisions. They’re signals, not stop signs.

2. Reconnect to your “why.”
When momentum feels slow, revisit the reason you started. Your “why” carries you through the days when the “what” and the “how” feel blurry. Purpose keeps you steady when motivation fades.

3. Choose consistency over intensity.
You don’t need to overhaul your life. You don’t need a dramatic change. You need small, steady, repeated actions that move you one step at a time. Consistency compounds, even when you can’t see it yet.

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3 Points to Ponder

Where in my life am I expecting instant results for something that requires time?

What part of my journey feels slow—but still matters enough for me to stay committed?

What’s the difference between what I want right now and what I’m being prepared for long term?

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Scripture for the Soul

Galatians 6:9 — “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

This verse grounds me every time I start to question the wait. It reminds me that growth has its own timeline—and often, the roots develop long before anything rises to the surface. If you’re in a slow or uncertain season, let this be your reminder that God is still working in the quiet. Stay faithful to what’s in front of you, trusting that He’s preparing what comes next.

If you need support while you’re navigating this in-between space, the resources below were created for moments just like this.

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This Week on The Confident Woman Podcast

Episode 350: How to Trust the Process When Growth Feels Slow with Dr. Traci Lynn

If you’ve been in a season where your effort feels bigger than your progress, this episode will remind you why staying committed to the process matters. We talk about the middle—the unseen stretch of the journey where your identity is shaped, your resilience is tested, and your future is formed.
Listen here → iamrachelbrooks.com/play

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Ready to Go Deeper?

If this message hit a nerve today, it’s probably because you’re standing in your own “middle” season—doing the work, but waiting to feel the shift. These resources were created for moments just like this:

I Am… Enough Reset
This reset gives you a quiet, centered space to hear yourself again. When life feels noisy or discouraging, the Reset helps you reconnect with what’s true so you can move forward with clarity instead of overwhelm. It’s 10 minutes that bring you back to the woman God created you to be.

Chasing Perfection (Book)
If you find yourself struggling with pressure, comparison, or the belief that you’re supposed to be further along by now, this book helps you release the unrealistic expectations that keep you stuck. You’ll learn how to rebuild your life from a healthier, more grounded place—one that doesn’t depend on perfection or performance.

I Am… Becoming
If you’re navigating change or trying to understand who you are in this new season, this guided journal gives you space to process your thoughts, clarify your direction, and actually see the growth that’s been happening within you.

Each of these resources meets you in the middle—right where you are—so you can move forward with intention, not pressure.

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Words of Encouragement

If your progress feels slow, honor the space you’re in instead of rushing through it. Some seasons strengthen you from the inside out, one steady step at a time. Trust that God is shaping you even when you can’t yet see the full picture.

The woman you’re becoming in this season is the one who will carry you into what’s coming next.

XO,

P.S. If this message encouraged you, forward it to another woman who’s walking through her own middle season.