Trust the process, they said. But what is the process? The word ‘process’ is a noun. It’s described as a series of steps or actions that must be completed to achieve a particular result or goal.
The Results
On Monday, I completed the steps and actions that helped me win my third North American Championship, which was also my first Pan American Championship since the two events were held concurrently this year. I earned three gold medals, one silver medal, two Pan American Records, and one North American Record.
It’s taken me a while to sort through and feel all the feelings. Two years ago, after my final deadlift to secure the championship, I was in so much pain that I didn’t know if I would ever be able to lift again, let alone compete.
There were some dark days after my surgery. Tear-filled physical therapy sessions where I tried to breathe deeply and stay positive. But my most significant breakthrough came when I surrendered to the process.
Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3 NLT
Reflecting on my actions for the past two years, I see five ways God helped me to trust the process toward my goals.
Five Ways to Trust the Process
- Accept the process wholeheartedly. Acceptance is the first step in trusting the process. Without acceptance, there would be a continuous struggle to adhere to the plan mapped out for your goals.
- Apply yourself consistently to the process. Consistency is a key factor in exhibiting your level of trust in the process. If your discipline keeps you working on the action steps despite whatever your feelings might be, you increase your chances of success.
- Align your daily habits with the process. We rise or fall to the level of our daily habits. Align your habits with your goals, and motivation ceases to be a part of the process. Let disciplined habits take over the starring role.
- Acknowledge where you are in the process. Noting milestones and setbacks, large or small, encourages us to keep moving steadily onward. Stop, look at how far you’ve come, and practice gratitude for each experience.
- Appreciate the outcome of the process. No matter what happens, appreciate the results. Our results reveal successes, lessons, and/or a combination of both.
If there is a goal you believe God has called you to embrace, then utilize these five ways of trusting the process to see where He leads you. From my experience, trusting the process is most definitely worth it!
*For those of you who prayer walk, chose one of the action words, Accept, Apply, Align, Acknowledge, or Appreciate and meditate on it as you walk. And for this week’s screensaver click here