top of page
Writer's pictureKim McGovern
2 min read

From Disappointment to Discovery: The Power of Pausing

Next time you're tempted to ruminate in the wrong direction, consider taking a pause instead.

I clenched my phone as I waited for a reply. Surely, she'd kept her promise. Yet, I haven't heard from her all weekend.

 

Ding!

 

It wasn't the reply I expected. Instead of relief, I found myself engulfed in disappointment—again.

 

Why didn't she let me know she couldn't keep her promise? Didn't she understand how important this was?

 

The blinking cursor begged for my response. Reacting while irritated would only lead to trouble.

 

Pause.

 

Setting my phone face down on the dining table, I took a deep breath. What once felt like an impossible-to-obey nudge from God was developing into a rhythm of restoration—one I relished when emotions threatened to overwhelm me. Pausing allowed time to process without overreacting.

 

I needed to understand the root of my offense to halt the downpour of negativity ready to take up residence in my head. Only God's insight could put me on the straight path. Proverbs 3:5-6 says it this way: "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."

 

Wrestling with negative thoughts and emotions is a daily battle. Have you ever wondered what to do when they threaten to steal your joy and peace? In these moments, why not practice taking a pause? 


  • Pausing allows for prayerful curiosity, which invites God into the discovery process to help unearth the origins of the negativity.


  • Pausing allows time to reconsider negative thoughts and emotions in light of God's truth and reshape misconceived thinking. 


  • Pausing gives occasion to praise God for His faithfulness, even during challenging circumstances, and shift perspective from dissatisfaction to gratitude.

.

Wondering about that blinking cursor?

 

Pausing opened the way for God, through His wisdom, to remold my complaints into a compassionate response toward the person on the other end of the phone.

 

Next time you're tempted to ruminate in the wrong direction, consider taking a pause instead. Let curiosity capture negative thoughts, uncover their roots, and transform them with the truth of God's promises. 

 

CONNECT WITH KIM MCGOVERN


Feel free to leave a comment below to share a few thoughts on how this devotional article ministered to you. Also, for more devotionals on Christian living, marriage, single life, ministry, business, leadership, and relevant topics as we await the return of Christ, visit www.insideoutww.org today!

from the founder

Inside out with Courtnaye-52 Week Devotional Cover.png

Behold all things are made new! In this 52-week devotional, get ready to grow in your Christian walk one week at a time with influential author, mentor, conference speaker, and founder of Inside Out Worldwide, Courtnaye Richard.

 

Each week, you will be encouraged, challenged, instructed, and equipped through real life topics and practices such as....

​

  • Spending focused time with God

  • Working well with others in church and at work

  • Trusting God even when you can't see

  • Controlling your emotions from the inside out

  • Setting boundaries in life

  • Self-care principles for Christian women

  • Pressing through fear in life and endeavors

  • And so many more topics

 

Courtnaye has created this brief, life-changing weekly women's devotional complete with monthly themes, scripture, practical insight, transparency, and a BONUS study guide! Choose to do it alone or use it for a small group. It's time to grow from the Inside Out, this week and beyond!

bottom of page