Being at Ease: The Breakthrough That Comes When You Surrender and Trust God

 

What's up, wonderful, amazing, sweet, and lovely people! ❤️

How are you all doing today? I hope you're having a beautiful day and finding reasons to smile, no matter what life may look like for you right now.

Today, I want us to talk about something that I believe we all need a little more of in our lives: being at ease.

Not just looking calm on the outside while you're falling apart on the inside. I'm talking about experiencing genuine peace within yourself, regardless of what's happening around you.

Because here's something I've come to realize: being at ease starts from within.

Finding Peace Within Yourself

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to feel good when everything is going your way?

When the money is coming in, your plans are working out, your relationships are in a good place, and you're seeing the results you've been hoping for, it's much easier to feel peaceful.

But what happens when things aren't working out?

What happens when you've prayed about something, worked hard for it, done everything you know how to do, and you're still not seeing the results you want?

That's when being at ease becomes a real challenge.

I've learned that we cannot allow the outside world to dictate what's happening on the inside. We cannot allow circumstances, disappointing results, or other people's opinions to become the foundation of our peace.

Our strength has to come from somewhere deeper.

It comes from knowing that, no matter what happens, we're going to be okay. It comes from understanding that one disappointing moment doesn't define our entire lives and that a situation that looks difficult today doesn't mean everything is falling apart.

Sometimes, we need to take a step back, breathe, and remind ourselves that we don't have to figure everything out right this very moment.

We can be at peace even while we're waiting.

We can have joy even while we're working toward something we haven't achieved yet.

And we can trust God even when we don't understand what He's doing.

When Pushing Harder Steals Your Peace

Let me share something I've personally experienced.

There have been moments in my life when I've wanted something so badly that I pushed myself beyond what was healthy for me emotionally. I became desperate for a particular outcome. I kept pushing, trying harder, thinking more, doing more, and searching for ways to make things happen.

I believed that if I just worked a little harder, tried a little longer, or figured out one more thing, I would finally get the breakthrough I was looking for.

But do you know what happened during those moments?

I didn't have joy. I didn't have peace. Instead, I experienced frustration, stress, and the exhaustion that comes from feeling as though everything depends on you.

I was so focused on making something happen that I wasn't enjoying the life I was living in the present.

And that's something worth thinking about.

What's the point of chasing a particular outcome if the process of chasing it causes you to lose yourself along the way?

What's the point of working toward a better life if you cannot experience peace in the life you have today?

I'm not saying we shouldn't work hard. I'm not saying we shouldn't pursue our dreams, set goals, or take responsibility for our lives. Absolutely, we should do those things.

But there is a difference between working diligently and desperately trying to control every outcome.

One allows you to take action while maintaining your peace. The other can leave you feeling as though your entire world will fall apart if things don't happen the way you planned.

And I've learned that I don't want to live that way.

The Moment I Finally Let Go

There have been times when I reached a point where I simply couldn't push anymore.

I had done everything I knew to do. I had tried my best, explored my options, and given the situation so much of my energy.

Eventually, I found myself thinking, You know what? I've done everything I can do right now. I cannot keep doing this to myself. I'm going to let go.

And when I finally surrendered, something changed within me.

I felt peace.

For the first time in those situations, I wasn't consumed by whether I would succeed or fail. I wasn't constantly worrying about what would happen next. I wasn't trying to force the situation to unfold according to my timeline.

I just wanted my peace back.

I wanted to be able to breathe, enjoy my day, appreciate my life, and trust that God was still with me, regardless of the outcome.

And here's the part that really made me think.

The very thing I had been desperately chasing and pushing so hard for eventually happened more naturally after I stopped trying to force it.

Isn't that something?

Now, I'm not saying that every time you surrender, everything you want will immediately fall into place. Life doesn't always work that way, and surrendering isn't a formula for getting everything we desire.

But I have experienced how releasing the pressure can change my perspective, restore my peace, and allow me to move forward without the emotional weight I was carrying.

Sometimes, when we stop obsessing over the outcome, we can finally see our next step more clearly.

Sometimes, when we stop trying to control everything, we become more open to opportunities we couldn't see before.

And sometimes, the greatest thing surrender gives us isn't the outcome we wanted. It's the peace we were missing while trying to get there.

Why Is It So Hard to Surrender?

Now, here's a question I've had to ask myself: If surrendering brings me peace, why don't I do it all the time?

Why do I sometimes find myself returning to the same patterns of worrying, pushing, overthinking, and trying to make everything happen?

I think part of the answer is how we've been conditioned.

From a young age, many of us are taught to work hard, keep pushing, never give up, and do whatever it takes to succeed.

Our families, our communities, and society often celebrate the person who is always grinding, always busy, and always striving for the next big achievement.

We hear things like, "You have to work harder," "You have to want it badly enough," and "If you aren't moving forward, you're falling behind."

And while there is value in discipline, perseverance, and hard work, we can sometimes take these messages to an unhealthy extreme.

We start believing that if we aren't constantly doing something, we're not doing enough.

We feel guilty when we rest.

We become anxious when we don't see immediate results.

We start believing that everything depends on how hard we push, how much we sacrifice, and how perfectly we execute our plans.

But what if we need to learn a different way of living?

What if we can work hard without living in a constant state of pressure?

What if we can pursue our dreams without allowing them to consume our peace?

And what if faith requires us to recognize that, while we have responsibilities, we are not responsible for controlling every single detail of our lives?

That brings me to something I've been discovering.

Sometimes, the breakthrough isn't in grinding harder. Sometimes, it's in surrendering and letting go.

Wow! I can't believe I just said that, but it's something I genuinely believe we need to reflect on.

Let Go and Let God

As a person of faith, I believe there is something powerful about trusting God with the things we cannot control.

We can pray. We can plan. We can work. We can make wise decisions and take meaningful action.

But after we've done our part, we also have to learn how to release the outcome.

We have to trust God enough to stop carrying burdens that were never meant to rest entirely on our shoulders.

Proverbs 3:5–6 reminds us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and not lean entirely on our own understanding, acknowledging Him in our ways.

Think about what that means.

We don't have to understand everything to trust God.

We don't have to know exactly how every situation will turn out before we can experience peace.

And we don't have to see the entire path ahead of us to take the next step in faith.

Sometimes, we want God to show us the whole picture before we feel comfortable moving forward. We want guarantees. We want timelines. We want to know that our efforts will produce the results we're hoping for.

But faith often means continuing to do what we can while trusting God with what we cannot see.

It means saying, "Lord, I'm going to do my best, but I'm not going to allow worry to consume me. I'm going to take the steps I know to take, and I'm going to trust You with the rest."

That is the kind of peace I want more of in my life.

Not a peace that depends on everything working out perfectly, but a peace rooted in my relationship with God.

A peace that reminds me I can face uncertainty without allowing fear to control me.

A peace that gives me permission to rest, smile, laugh, enjoy my family, and appreciate the present moment, even while I'm believing for something greater.

You Can Work Toward Your Dreams and Still Enjoy Today

One thing I want you to understand is that surrendering doesn't mean abandoning your dreams.

It doesn't mean giving up on your goals or sitting around waiting for something to happen.

It means releasing the desperate need to control the outcome.

You can still pursue that business you've been dreaming about.

You can still work toward buying your first home.

You can still seek a better job, improve your finances, build healthier relationships, and create a life that feels more aligned with who you want to become.

You can still pray for the things your heart desires.

But you can do these things from a place of peace rather than panic.

You can work because you believe your efforts matter, not because you're terrified that everything will fall apart if you stop for a moment.

You can take action because you have faith in the possibilities ahead of you, not because you're trying to prove your worth through constant productivity.

And you can rest without feeling as though you're falling behind.

Your life is happening right now, not just when you finally reach your next milestone.

Don't spend so much time trying to arrive at a better tomorrow that you forget to appreciate the blessings in today.

There is beauty in the journey, too.

There is joy to be found in the little things. There are moments with your loved ones to cherish, opportunities to laugh, and reasons to be grateful that have nothing to do with whether your plans are working out perfectly.

Don't put your happiness on hold until everything is exactly the way you want it to be.

Learn to live, love, and experience joy while you continue moving forward.

How to Practice Being at Ease Every Day

So, how can we begin to live this way?

Here are a few simple things I'm reminding myself to practice, and I hope they'll encourage you, too.

1. Do your best, then release the outcome.

Give your responsibilities the attention they deserve. Make the calls, submit the application, prepare for the opportunity, have the conversation, and take the next step. Then remind yourself that you've done what you can for now.

You don't have to mentally replay every detail or worry about every possible outcome.

2. Stop measuring your peace by your progress.

You are allowed to have a good day even when you haven't checked everything off your list. You are allowed to smile even when you're still waiting for an answer. Your circumstances do not have to be perfect for you to experience moments of happiness.

3. Make room for rest.

Rest is not a sign that you've failed. You are a human being, not a machine. Give yourself permission to pause, breathe, and enjoy the life you're working so hard to build.

4. Turn your worries into prayers.

When you notice yourself overthinking, take a moment to talk to God. Tell Him what's on your heart. Ask for wisdom, direction, and strength. Then remind yourself that you don't have to carry every uncertainty alone.

5. Bring yourself back to the present.

Instead of constantly worrying about what might happen tomorrow, pay attention to what is happening today. Appreciate what you have, spend time with the people you love, and look for the good that exists in this moment.

6. Remember that you don't control everything.

You can influence some outcomes, but you cannot control every person, circumstance, opportunity, or timeline. Accepting that reality can help you stop fighting battles that are outside your control and focus on the actions that are actually yours to take.

And most importantly, be patient with yourself. Learning to surrender is a process. There will be days when you trust easily and other days when worry tries to creep back in.

When that happens, gently remind yourself to return to faith, return to peace, and take things one step at a time.

Choose Peace Today

My wonderful, amazing, sweet, and lovely people, I want to leave you with this thought.

You don't have to spend your entire life fighting, striving, worrying, and pushing yourself to the point of exhaustion just to prove that you're doing enough.

You can be ambitious and peaceful.

You can be hardworking and rested.

You can have big dreams and still appreciate the life you have right now.

You can pursue what you desire while trusting God with what happens next.

And you can be at ease even when you don't have all the answers.

I've experienced moments when pushing harder left me frustrated, while surrendering allowed me to breathe again. Those experiences have reminded me that I don't want to sacrifice my joy in the pursuit of my goals.

I want to do my best, trust God, and let go of the things I cannot control.

I want to experience the journey, not just celebrate the destination.

And I want to remember that my peace is valuable, too.

So, whatever you're dealing with today, take a deep breath. Do what you can. Pray about what you cannot control. Trust God to guide you, and give yourself permission to release the pressure.

You don't have to figure out your entire life today.

You don't have to force every door to open.

And you don't have to let every disappointing circumstance determine how you feel inside.

Sometimes, you just need to surrender, trust God, and allow yourself to be at ease.

Let's practice doing our best without carrying the weight of the entire world on our shoulders. Let's stop allowing circumstances to steal our joy. And let's learn to trust that we can move forward in faith without living in constant fear of what might happen.

Because life is too precious to spend every moment worrying about the next one.

Have a beautiful day, everyone!

And remember, do your best, trust God, let go, and don't let anybody steal your joy! ❤️

With love,

Maryam

Maryam's Joyful Life — Choosing faith, finding joy, and embracing the beauty of everyday life.

I Want to Encourage You

 

Keep Holding On: Everything Is Working Out

What's up, wonderful, amazing, sweet, and lovely people? 💕

Thank you so much for checking out my blog today. It’s a beautiful day, and I’m so grateful to be here with you.

I have not been as consistent with my blog as I wanted to be, but you know what? I’m glad I’m here today. Sometimes you have to give yourself grace and simply be thankful that you made it back.

And today, I want to talk to somebody who needs a little encouragement.

I want to talk about holding on, believing, and trusting God even when it seems like nothing is working out.

Don't Believe the Lie of Emptiness

Maybe you're in a situation right now where you've been trying your hardest.

You've been praying.

You've been working.

You've been taking action.

You've been doing everything you know to do.

And yet, when you look around, it seems like nothing is changing.

You may be wondering:

"When is this going to turn around?"

"How long am I going to be in this situation?"

"Did I miss something?"

"Is anything actually happening?"

I want you to know something today:

Something is changing.

Don't believe the lie of emptiness.

Sometimes when we can't see anything happening, we assume that nothing is happening.

But just because you can't see the process doesn't mean there isn't a process.

In fact, think about this:

Out of emptiness comes creation.

What looks empty today may be the very space where something new is being created.

What looks like silence may be preparation.

What looks like a delay may be positioning.

What looks like a closed door may be redirecting you toward something you couldn't see yet.

So don't give up simply because you can't see the finished product.

Keep Praying

Whatever you do, don't stop praying.

Keep talking to God.

Keep believing.

Keep asking.

Keep thanking Him.

Keep taking action.

Keep doing your best.

There is something powerful about continuing to move forward while trusting God with the outcome.

And while you're waiting, give thanks.

Thank God even before you see the answer.

Thank Him for what He's already done.

Thank Him for what He's doing behind the scenes.

Thank Him for the things you don't understand yet.

My pastor once said something that really stuck with me:

"As long as you've got a pulse, God's got a plan."

Real talk—I believe that.

And I've seen it happen in my own life.

I've Seen Things Change

There have been many situations in my life where I found myself thinking, "Is this ever going to change?"

I tried to remain hopeful, but sometimes it felt like things weren't changing fast enough.

There were moments when I almost felt like I was always going to be in that situation.

Like maybe this was just how things were going to be.

But you know what?

It changed.

It changed.

And when I look back, I can see God's faithfulness.

God has been so faithful.

There were things I couldn't see coming.

There were answers I didn't know were on the way.

There were changes that eventually happened that I couldn't have planned myself.

And that's why I'm encouraging you today:

Don't make a permanent conclusion based on a temporary situation.

Just because it hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it isn't going to happen.

Ask Someone to Believe With You

And listen, if you need help, ask for help.

If you need someone to pray with you, ask them.

If you need someone to stand in faith with you, ask them.

If you need encouragement, ask for it.

Don't let fear, pride, embarrassment, or shame stop you from reaching out.

Sometimes God will use another person to encourage you when you're too tired to encourage yourself.

And yes, there will be people who say no.

That's okay.

Don't take every "no" as rejection.

Sometimes a "no" is simply part of the process.

Sometimes the people who don't help you are making room for the people who will.

Sometimes the door that closes is helping direct you toward another door.

And sometimes what feels like a setback is actually part of your progress.

So keep going.

It's Not Happening Too Slowly

I know how frustrating it can be when you want something to happen now.

We want the breakthrough today.

We want the answer today.

We want the change today.

We want to see evidence that our prayers are working.

But don't allow the fact that something hasn't happened yet to convince you that it will never happen.

There is a huge difference between:

"It's not happening yet"

and

"It's never going to happen."

Don't confuse the two.

Your story is still being written.

God can do something in your life so quickly that you will look back and wonder how everything changed so fast.

The thing you've been praying about may not unfold exactly the way you imagined.

It may even happen in a way that is better than what you thought to ask for.

So stay open.

Stay faithful.

Stay prayerful.

Stay hopeful.

Your Celebration Is Coming

Today, I simply want to encourage you:

It is well with you.

It's all working out.

You're doing your best.

Keep going.

Don't give up.

Don't stop.

Don't stop believing.

Don't stop praying.

Don't stop taking action.

Don't stop thanking God.

And don't let a temporary season convince you that your entire future will look like this.

It won't.

You may be closer than you realize.

Your breakthrough may be closer than you think.

Your answer may be closer than you think.

Your celebration may be closer than you think.

It could be this moment.

It could be the next minute.

The next hour.

Sometime today.

Sometime tomorrow.

I don't know exactly when your moment will come, but I know this:

Don't give up before you see what God is about to do.

Keep holding on.

Keep trusting.

Keep believing.

Keep moving.

And when you finally look back, you may realize that the season you thought was empty was actually a season where God was creating something new.

God is faithful.

And if you've got a pulse, God's got a plan. ❤️

So take a deep breath.

Pray again.

Try again.

Believe again.

Get up again.

And keep going.

Your story isn't over.

Sending you so much love today. 💕

And remember...

Don't let anybody steal your joy.

With love,
Maryam
MaryamsJoyfulLife

When Things Don’t Go According to Plan: Trusting God in the Process

 

When Things Don’t Go According to Plan: Trusting God in the Process

What’s up, wonderful, amazing, sweet, and lovely people? How are you all doing today? I hope you’re having an amazing day and that nobody has stolen your joy. Welcome to Maryamsjoyfullife! It’s a beautiful day, and I’m truly excited to share this message with you.

Today, I want to talk about something we’ve all experienced at one point or another—those seasons in life when everything seems like it’s not working according to plan.

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you felt completely ready? You had everything lined up, every detail mapped out, and you reached out to the right people—or at least the people you thought were right. You put in the effort, did your part, and truly believed everything would fall into place… only for it not to work out?

It’s frustrating. It’s confusing. And honestly, it can feel discouraging.

When you’re in that kind of season, it can feel like things are unnecessarily hard and complicated. You may even start questioning yourself—“What did I do wrong?” or “Why isn’t this working?” And on top of that, when people you expected to support you aren’t on board, it can make the whole experience even more stressful.

But here’s something I’ve learned in those difficult moments: God has a plan.

Could it be that the thing you’re pushing so hard for isn’t what God has for you? Could it be that there’s something better waiting—something greater than what you imagined? Sometimes we get so laser-focused on our version of how things should go that we miss the bigger picture.

And that’s where we have to shift.

Instead of stressing, instead of forcing things to happen, this is the time to seek God. Pray. Be still. Trust Him.

Don’t allow setbacks, delays, or even naysayers to steal your peace. I know—it’s easier said than done. I’ve been there, and it’s not a good place to be. But there is power in surrender.

Give it to God.

Trust that His plan is better than yours—because it truly is.

In moments like these, I encourage you to go deeper spiritually. Spend time in prayer, and if you’re able, consider fasting. There is something powerful about denying the flesh and focusing on God. Whether you start with three days or work your way up to seven, even setting aside certain hours each day to fast and pray can bring clarity, peace, and breakthrough.

When you quiet everything else and focus on Him, amazing things begin to happen.

Remember, when things aren’t going your way, it’s not a sign to give up—it’s a sign to draw closer to God. Shift your perspective from frustration to gratitude. Thank Him even in the waiting, even in the uncertainty.

Because He is working—even when you don’t see it.

So today, I want to leave you with this encouragement:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart.

Lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways, acknowledge Him—and He will direct your path.

Hold onto that truth.

And no matter what you’re facing, don’t let anybody—or anything—steal your joy.

With love,

Maryamsjoyfullife

Wait and Be Happy While You Do

 

Day 5 – God Is Faithful, Even in the Waiting

Good morning, my friends. Today is Day 5—December 5th—and as I sit here reflecting, one truth keeps echoing in my spirit: God is faithful. Truly faithful.

There are moments when we look at our lives and think about all the needs, desires, and prayers that should’ve happened by now. We wonder why certain breakthroughs didn’t show up on our timeline. But even in that space of longing, the faithfulness of God remains unchanged.

Take a moment and look around your life. I promise you—there is something you have right now that once felt impossible. Something you prayed for long before you knew it would become part of your everyday life. You may not feel the weight of gratitude for it today because it isn’t threatened or slipping away—but God gave it to you. He knew you needed it before you understood the value of it.

It’s amazing how easily we can feel empty when the one thing we’re chasing doesn’t appear on schedule. The delay becomes so loud that it steals our joy, distracts our minds, and pulls our attention away from everything God has already done. That desire, when left unchecked, begins to overshadow blessings that—if taken away—would leave our lives completely empty.

One thing I’m learning, deeply and personally, is that the best things in life are things money could never buy.

Your family.

Your children.

The air you breathe.

The sky above you.

The peace of stepping outside and letting nature reset your soul.

Nature heals.

And many of us are losing that healing because we’re glued to screens and overwhelmed by social media, comparing, scrolling, striving. Sometimes the joy you think you lost is simply waiting for you outside—in fresh air, sunlight, stillness, and God’s creation.

When we learn to appreciate what we already have, we step into true fulfillment. That’s when we actually start living.

We’re not alive when we’re only chasing.

We’re alive when we’re grateful.

From my own experience, constantly focusing on what God “hasn’t done yet” only created more emptiness in my heart. But when I shifted to thanking Him for what is in my life, and chose to hold joyful expectation for what I’m believing for—something shifted. Blessings flowed more easily. Breakthroughs came faster. Joy returned.

So I ask you today:

Could it be that we sometimes stand in the way of our own blessings?

Could it be that our frustration blocks the very things we’re praying for?

Just think about it.

Today, I am praying for us. In the name of Jesus, may we not allow ambition, desire, or longing to steal the joy of this present moment. I pray that God opens our eyes and hearts to what truly matters. I pray we find gratitude in the blessings that are already here while we joyfully expect the ones that are on the way. And may every desire that aligns with God’s will be fulfilled in His perfect timing—amen.

This is your day.

And today, I’m praying for happy money, blessed money, joyful money, good money to flow into your life in Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you’re ready to step into your best self, check out one of my programs at www.maryamsjoyfullife.com.

And if you’re dreaming about your next vacation and want the best deals, visit maryamsjoyfullifeluxuryvacation.com or call 470-765-2745.

I would love to help plan your dream getaway.

Thank you for being here.

Have an amazing, blessed, joy-filled day. 🌿✨