The Lie of “I Should Be Farther Along by Now”
It usually starts with a scroll.
Someone else just finished their draft.
Someone else is announcing their launch.
Someone else is living the writing dream you swore you’d be living by now.
And there it is again—
That ache in your chest.
That swirl of shame.
“I should be farther along.”
“I should have finished by now.”
“What’s wrong with me that I haven’t?”
If you’ve ever thought that… you’re not alone.
And more importantly?
You’re not behind.
The Voice of Shame Sounds Like Hustle
We live in a culture that glorifies speed. Quick wins. Fast drafts. Constant momentum.
But what happens when your story is unfolding slower than expected?
When your progress looks more like pauses than pages?
When your timeline feels more like tangled up than trailblazing forward?
It’s easy to believe the lie:
“If I were truly called to this, I’d be done already.”
But friend, I want you to hear this with fresh ears today:
God is not in a hurry; He is never late.
He’s forming you while you’re forming the words.
You’re Not Behind—You’re Becoming
One of the most dangerous things we do as writers is tie our identity to our pace.
We measure our worth by progress.
We confuse slowness with failure.
We forget that the Kingdom moves at the pace of trust, not hustle.
And trust often looks like:
Starting again, even when it’s humbling
Showing up when it feels small
Choosing depth over deadlines
Believing that what God began in you, He will finish
Your timeline is not broken.
It’s bespoke. Designed for you.
And God isn’t asking you to rush. He’s asking you to walk with Him, faithfully.
What to Do When You Feel “Behind”
If your heart has been stuck in shame or discouragement, here’s a better way to move forward:
1. Pause and Name the Lie
Literally stop and write down: “The lie I’m believing is ____.”
Then counter it with truth. Try: “I am not behind—I’m becoming.”
2. Reframe the Timeline
Instead of “I should be done by now,” ask:
“What has God been teaching me in this time I didn’t expect?”
3. Celebrate the Becoming
What have you written—even if it’s not finished?
What have you learned—even if you’re still in the process?
Honor the steps, not just the finish line.
You Were Never Meant to Race—You Were Meant to Rise
“…being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it…” — Philippians 1:6 NKJV
The words will come.
The finish line will arrive.
But the most sacred part of this journey is who you’re becoming along the way.
📣 Your Next Step
If this message spoke to something deep inside you, comment the word “Becoming.”
I’ll send you a free rhythm reset prompt to help you reconnect with God and your writing goals—without the guilt.
You are not behind.
You are right on time.
Let’s keep walking forward—together.
