Don’t Quit in the Process | Sarah Jakes Roberts | Woman Evolve
Don’t Quit in the Process: Embracing God’s Journey for Your Life
Have you ever felt stuck in the middle of your journey, uncertain about whether you’ll ever see the promises of God fulfilled in your life? If so, you’re not alone. Many believers experience seasons where the process feels overwhelming, and the outcome seems so far away. But what if we could see the hand of God not only in the promise but deeply woven throughout the process itself? Let’s dive into how your spiritual journey is as important—if not more—than the destination, and how God’s presence in each step is the true blessing.
Understanding “Emerging Adulthood” and the Struggle with the Process
Today, many young adults are finding themselves hesitant to make life’s big decisions—whether it’s enrolling in college, getting married, or starting a family. Unlike previous generations who seemed to move rapidly through these life milestones, our generation is pausing. Why?
It’s not that people don’t desire the good things—whether a degree, a loving marriage, or a successful career—but now we’re more aware than ever before that every promise comes with a price. We’ve learned about student loan debt and the struggles of marriage from those who have gone before us. We see not just the rewards, but also the challenges required to reach them. Today’s culture is teaching us to ask about the journey, not just the destination.
Why the Process Exists—and What It Teaches Us
If you’re in a season of holding on to a promise from God, you intimately know that nothing about your current place was easy. Many times, those who look at your life and admire your “promise” have no idea of the difficulties you went through to get here. The tears you’ve shed, the friends you’ve lost, the mistakes you’ve made, and the nights you questioned if you’d ever make it—these are the hidden costs of every testimony.
We often hear people celebrate when someone steps into a new home, a new job, or a bright season, but we rarely understand what it cost them. The sacrifices, the heartbreaks, and the moments of near defeat are what shape us. These are the parts of the journey where the presence of God is the most powerful—when He walks with us, teaches us, and strengthens us. God isn’t just the God of the outcome; He is the God of the grind, the prayers, and the painful growth.
Celebrate the Process, Not Just the Promise
One of the biggest disservices in our communities is when we celebrate only the victories and never mention the valleys. When we don’t tell the story of the hard seasons, we create an illusion that those who struggle are somehow broken or incapable. But the truth is, every great promise in scripture came through a process: Abraham, Moses, David—none of them got to their “promise” without enduring a challenging journey.
If you’re standing in a season of blessing, remember to tell your story honestly. Let others know about the moments when you thought you’d break, when you considered quitting, or when you had to lean fully into God because you had nothing else left. God showed up in those moments, proving Himself to be the God who is with us in every trial, every court battle, every doctor’s visit, and every impossible task.
The Biblical Pattern: God in the Wilderness
When God promised the children of Israel a land flowing with milk and honey, He didn’t simply wait for them to arrive; He went with them every step of the way. In the wilderness, God provided food, protection, and leadership. If you’re feeling abandoned in a season of waiting, remember that God is not only with you when you reach your “promised land”—He is guiding and sustaining you right in the midst of uncertainty.
King David was destined to rule, but his road was riddled with betrayal, hiding in caves, and loneliness. Yet, those seasons weren’t wasted. God sent the right people into David’s life during his struggles, not just during his triumph. God does the same for you—placing encouragers and helpers along your path, preparing your heart for what’s next.
The Process Is Where the Enemy Strikes
When God declares a promise, it’s already settled—His Word does not return empty (Isaiah 55:11). The enemy can’t cancel what God has spoken. But there’s one place where the enemy wages war with all his might: it’s in the process. If the enemy can get you to quit, to doubt, or to compromise during your journey, he knows you might never walk into your promise.
Your job is not to pursue the promise at all costs, but to endure and grow through the process. Take it step by step, knowing that your faith isn’t being built when you finally “arrive,” but when you keep standing, keep serving, and keep trusting God in the middle ground. The discipline, faith, and resilience developed in the process are what actually prepare you to hold the blessing when it comes.
The Relationship Between Promise and Process
We love to recite the promises of God—no weapon formed against me shall prosper, every tongue that rises against me will be condemned (Isaiah 54:17). But if you keep reading, scripture makes it clear: these blessings belong to the “servants of the Lord.” The promise is available, but there’s a process of surrender attached to it. Sometimes, the weapons we face aren’t being stopped because God is calling us to a greater place of obedience. Until we turn from serving fear, pride, doubt, or insecurity, and truly submit to God, the cycles may continue.
When you feel like the enemy is gaining ground, or when setbacks seem relentless, take a step back and ask: “God, are you using this challenge to realign my heart with You?” Sometimes, the process is about drawing us closer to God—not just about getting to our outcome. True transformation happens when
