Trust the Process

People often ask me, “Tonia, how do you live in victory after everything you’ve been through?”

How did I reach a place where I can speak confidently about my past instead of battling insecurity, shame, or fear with every new challenge life brings? They ask me about this God I serve — the One who pulled me from darkness and carried me to where I stand today.

The truth is, I’m not perfect. Even on my best days, there’s still a mess under the surface. But I’ve learned something powerful — God doesn’t ask me to be perfect; He just asks me to show up. I don’t pretend to be someone I’m not anymore. God sees me exactly as I am — raw, real, and in progress — and it’s in those weak, broken moments that His grace takes over. I no longer try to carry the weight of the world on my shoulders. I’ve finally learned to trust that He’s got me.

Now, I rely on Him for everything — and I mean everything. I talk to Him when I wake up and don’t feel like getting out of bed. I talk to Him when old habits try to whisper that I need something external to calm my mind. I talk to Him when I’m on top of the world, too — because I’ve learned not to take credit for success and not to shoulder the pain of disappointment. I’ve learned to let go and let God. Because freedom doesn’t come from the fight — it comes from the release.

The Beauty of the Process

Letting God do the work doesn’t mean you sit back and do nothing. It means you stop fighting battles that have already been won. It means you move forward in faith, trusting that He’ll give you direction for every step you take.

Some things change instantly, and others happen gradually. When God’s Spirit came to live within me — that was instant. That was the gift. In that moment, I was completely forgiven, completely loved, and nothing I could ever do would make Him love me more or less.

But freedom? Freedom happens little by little. Forgiveness is immediate — freedom is progressive. God removes the guilt in an instant, but the transformation unfolds over time. And here’s what I’ve learned: God won’t do the walking for you. He’ll go before you, but He won’t go for you. He’ll make provision for the journey, but He won’t force you to believe it’s yours.

Enjoy the Process

Remember — life isn’t a destination. It’s a process. It’s about learning, growing, becoming, and allowing yourself to be shaped through every season. Each person’s process is unique. Your journey won’t look like anyone else’s, and that’s intentional. God designed your path specifically for you. The important thing to understand about the path you’re walking is that it forms as you move forward. You won’t see the whole road before you begin — because you’re the one creating it, step by step. Waiting for everything to make sense before you start will only keep you stuck. Faith means trusting God enough to move even when you can’t see the full picture.

And yes, sometimes the path feels confusing or uncertain. You might think you’ve taken a wrong turn. But one day, when you look back, you’ll see how perfectly it all fit together. Every decision, every delay, every detour — it all becomes part of the greater tapestry of your life. There are no wasted steps when God is directing them.

Be Careful Whose Voices You Let In

When we’re unsure, afraid, or overwhelmed, our first instinct is often to ask others what we should do. We start collecting opinions, hoping for clarity. But more often than not, that only creates confusion. You end up trying to please everyone else while silencing your own discernment — the voice God placed inside you.

Sometimes you already know the answer in your spirit; you’re just looking for someone to confirm it. When they don’t, it stirs frustration or doubt. And when you hear too many conflicting opinions, you lose the peace that helps you decide in faith.

There’s nothing wrong with seeking wise counsel. The key is to be intentional. Ask for information, not permission. Gather insight, not validation. If you’re researching something, look for guidance or resources, not approval for your next move.

At the end of the day, only you and God know what’s best for you. The journey you’re walking is between the two of you. Learn to quiet the noise, listen for His voice, and trust the process He’s leading you through.

The Real Question

So, when life hits hard and knocks you down — what do you believe? Do you believe that God is still working? Do you believe that you already possess everything it takes to rise again? Or do you believe that you’ve failed one more time?

Here’s the truth — you can’t fail if God can’t fail.

And God never fails.

So even when it doesn’t make sense… trust the process. Even when it’s painful… trust the process.

Even when you can’t see the progress… trust the process. Because God is still working behind the scenes, shaping your struggle into strength and your pain into purpose. Victory isn’t a destination — it’s a daily decision to believe.

✨ Today’s Reminder: Stop trying to perfect the process and start trusting the One who designed it. Your breakthrough is happening, even if you don’t feel it yet. Just keep showing up — because God’s not finished with you yet.