Affirmation for Today:
I am breaking free from destructive cycles and walking towards fulfillment and success.
Scripture:
“And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” – Luke 1:45 ESV
The Rhythms We Get Stuck In
Some mornings, I catch myself staring at the ceiling, heart pounding with worry about the same things as yesterday: Am I loving my kids the right way? Am I stuck repeating my own mother’s mistakes? Why do I feel like this same struggle—anxiety, self-doubt, guilt—circles my life no matter how much I pray?
It’s so easy to think, “Maybe this is just the way my life is. Maybe these cycles—rushing, reacting, replaying old hurts—are mine to keep.” If you’ve ever found yourself here, friend, you’re in good company. But you’re also right where God wants to remind you: freedom begins with believing Him, not your history.
Naming the Cycle: Why We Repeat What We Don’t Want
These destructive cycles—self-sabotage in your work, short tempers snapping at your littles, falling into old health habits, or even living out patterns handed to us by our families—are so hard to break. Sometimes we stay stuck just because it’s familiar. As Jess shared on the podcast, “Sometimes we end up in decisions of our parents or grandparents, and we stay there because if it were something else, surely they would have tried it.”
But God didn’t create us to live stuck. He calls us to step out, to believe for more—even if our faith shakes a little while we do it.
Freedom begins with belief.
Breaking free isn’t about pretending things don’t hurt or forcing ourselves to “just try harder.” It’s about a real, raw belief that God’s promises are truer than our patterns. Even if we don’t know how it’ll happen, we choose to believe that what is impossible with man is possible with God (see Luke 1:37).
When Belief Feels Like the Hardest Thing
Mary, the mother of Jesus, had every reason to doubt—her future looked strange, her circumstances scandalous, the road ahead full of questions. But Scripture says, “And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord” (Luke 1:45 ESV).
Imagine if Mary had stayed stuck in the cycles of fear, doubt, or unbelief, letting what others thought shape her response to God’s call. Mary ran toward the promise, even when she didn’t see the outcome. That bold step of belief changed not just her life—but the world.
Whatever you’re wrestling with today—the cycle that feels too big to break, the mom guilt that feels too heavy—remember:
It just starts with one step. One prayer. One moment of surrender.
What’s Holding You Back Isn’t Too Big for God
Maybe you’re thinking, “But I’ve tried before. I still feel so tied to the same old struggles.” Friend, as Jess said, “The enemy cannot create any thought that puts you in a place to welcome the cycles that go against your desire and back to your familiar destructive cycles. He couldn’t create it, but he could play on your experiences.”
The enemy doesn’t hold the pen to your story—God does.
You don’t have to have it all together to start over. You don’t need a giant breakthrough moment. All you need is a whisper of faith—God, I want better. Help me break this cycle.
It’s not perfect. It was never meant to be perfect. It just starts with an invitation, a submission. Letting God know that He is welcome into your mind.
Practical Ways to Walk in Freedom
Let’s put this into practice, right where you are. Try these steps this week:
1. Declare truth out loud.
Words retrain your brain and heart. Try statements like:
I am disciplined, focused, and fruitful in what God has called me to.
I am free from destructive cycles.
I am walking towards fulfillment and success.
2. Post your affirmation somewhere you’ll see it daily.
Mirror. Phone background. Notebook. Your kitchen sink has seen your tears—you can stick it there, too.
Download this episode’s wallpaper:
3. Pray honestly and simply.
No fancy words required. Example:
“God, I know I can’t do this alone. I welcome You into my thoughts and ask You to break this cycle. Show me the first step. Amen.”
4. Move slower and trust yourself, one decision at a time.
As Jess encouraged, “Start moving a little slower until you start to trust yourself more. Building that belief and that trust with God and yourself.”
5. Remember, this is a daily journey.
Some days you’ll stumble. Some days you’ll soar. Keep inviting God into each moment.
A Prayer to Carry Into Your Day
Father, thank You for freeing me. Thank you for being the chain breaker in my life. Renew my heart and make it new. With every breath I take, increase Your presence in me. Remove what is not like You. I choose to believe all You’ve spoken over me—even when my mind falters. Open my eyes to the ways You are working, today and always. Amen.
Reflection & Response
Take a few minutes in your journal—or just quiet your heart—to consider:
What destructive cycle have you felt powerless to break in your life or motherhood?
Where do you sense God inviting you to believe for something new or better?
What is one affirmation or scripture you can declare over yourself every day this week?
Want to go deeper? Become a paid subscriber for weekly Bible studies, faith-building resources, and a space to connect with other Christian moms walking this journey. If this devotional blessed you, share it with a sister who needs encouragement for her faith journey today!
