Why Growth Feels So Hard (Even When You're Following God)

Why Growth Feels So Hard (Even When You're Following God)

Growth isn’t always comfortable.   Sometimes the very season where God is opening new doors is also the season where you experience the most resistance. You may feel stretched beyond your capacity, battle imposter syndrome, or wonder why opposition seems to increase just as things begin moving forward.   In this episode of Navigating the Wilderness, I explore what Scripture teaches about seasons of growth, why opposition often accompanies them, and how God uses those challenges to deepen our dependence on Him.   I’ll also share a personal story from my own career about stepping into an unexpected opportunity, facing workplace opposition, and discovering God’s faithfulness in the middle of it.   In this episode we discuss:   • How growing seasons differ from wilderness seasons • Why opposition often comes with new opportunities • The lessons Israel’s Promised Land teaches us about dependence on God • What Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” can teach us about weakness and grace • Finding confidence when you feel stretched beyond your abilities • Learning to recognize God’s faithfulness in every season   No matter what season you’re in, my hope is that this conversation encourages you to trust God’s work in your life and embrace the growth He’s leading you through.   If this episode encourages you, I’d love for you to subscribe, leave a comment, and share it with someone who needs hope today.   🌿 Learn more at: NicoleDelaney.com

Letting Go Before You Know What's Next

Have you ever reached a point where something you once loved no longer feels like it fits?   Sometimes the hardest part of a new season isn’t knowing what to do next—it’s finding the courage to let go of what has been familiar.   In this episode, I share the story of one of the biggest transitions in my own life as I walked away from a career I loved after years of unexpected change. Looking through the lens of Israel’s agricultural seasons, we’ll explore why pruning often comes before new growth, how God begins planting new desires in our hearts before we see the full picture, and why letting go is often part of preparing us for what’s ahead.   If you’re sensing that something is shifting in your life, wondering why the things that once fulfilled you no longer do, or trying to discern God’s timing in a season of transition, I hope this conversation encourages you to trust Him one step at a time.   In this episode, we’ll talk about: • Why God often prepares us for a new season before revealing the destination • How to recognize the signs that you’re entering a season of pruning and planting • My personal story of leaving a career I loved and learning to trust God with the unknown • Why letting go creates room for new growth • The importance of God’s timing during seasons of transition   I’d love to hear from you. Have you ever experienced a season where God asked you to let go before showing you what was next?  Connect with me at nicoledelaney.com

Seasons of Life through the lens of the Middle East

Have you ever wondered why one season of life feels full of growth while another feels dry, confusing, or painfully slow? In this episode, we're looking at the seasons of life through the landscape of Israel rather than the Western calendar. The Bible was written in a very different climate, and that backdrop gives us a richer understanding of how God works through seasons of planting, pruning, growth, harvest, and wilderness. Drawing from what I learned while studying in Israel, we'll explore what each season reveals about God's character, what He may be accomplishing beneath the surface, and the unique opportunities and cautions that come with each one. Whether you're in a season of hidden preparation, rapid growth, abundant fruit, or walking through a wilderness that seems to have no end, my prayer is that this episode helps you recognize where you are, partner with what God is doing, and find hope for the road ahead. I'd love to hear from you—which season do you feel you're in right now? Share your thoughts in the comments, and if this episode encouraged you, please subscribe and share it with someone who may need it. Timestamps 00:52 Pace Versus Pressure 02:38 Seasons Of Life Intro 03:48 Fall Planting And Pruning 07:09 Winter Rains And Growth 08:52 Spring Flourishing And Favor 10:17 Summer Wilderness Lessons 13:26 Reflect And Next Steps YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@NicoleDelaney01 Check my website NicoleDelaney.com to sign up for my newsletter or for more information on coaching

Season 2 Premiere: Why I Took a Break (& What's Next)

After a long break, Navigating the Wilderness is back. In this first episode of Season 2, I'm sharing why I stepped away from the podcast, what life has looked like behind the scenes over the past year, and why I felt it was time to return. The last several months have brought significant transition, unexpected challenges, loss, and a season of pruning that forced me to reevaluate what truly matters. In this episode, I reflect on what I've been learning about identity, purpose, and trusting God when the path ahead isn't entirely clear. I also share how my vision for the podcast has evolved and why I feel increasingly drawn to conversations around transition, identity, and discovering who God created us to be. Sometimes the wilderness isn't just a difficult season—it's the place where false identities fall away and we begin to see ourselves more clearly through God's eyes. Whether you're facing a major life transition, feeling stuck in the in-between, or simply trying to discern your next step, I hope this conversation encourages you. I'd love to hear from you. What topics would you like to hear discussed in Season 2? Reach out and let me know.   Timestamps 00:00 Season Two Welcome 00:44 Why This Podcast Exists 01:43 Transition and Identity 02:38 Coaching Plans and Resistance 04:23 Life Upheaval and Burnout 06:53 Returning Despite Fear 08:39 Pruning and Decluttering 11:02 What's Next and Listener Input 12:12 The Scrapbook Sign 13:34 Closing Thoughts

Finding God's Perspective in a Chaotic World

This week on *Navigating the Wilderness*, I share from my heart about walking through transition, battling discouragement, and learning to embrace God’s higher ways in uncertain times.    From reflecting on cultural shifts over the past 30 years, to processing grief, to confronting the spirit of intimidation, I unpack what it means to see our lives through an eternal perspective.    If you’re in a season of wilderness or waiting, this episode will encourage you to slow down, quiet the noise, and trust that God is preparing you for something greater than you can imagine.    Scripture: Isaiah 55:8–9  Links:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NicoleDelaney01 [https://www.youtube.com/@NicoleDelaney01] Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/NicoleDelaney [https://rumble.com/user/NicoleDelaney]   Mentioned in this episode: Wild At Heart Podcast episode 835 https://youtu.be/N2vISlmx5Io?si=HtG9VXoy4fIvWu97