"O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way? How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand?" (Psalm 13:1-2, NLT)
Everyone around me was succeeding. The co-worker got the job promotion. The neighbor had her third child. All my friends on social media were getting book deals. The stranger down the road won the lottery. Meanwhile, here I sat, watching others move forward while I felt stuck.
It wasn't that I wanted a job promotion, a child, or to win the lottery. But I did want that book deal. And man, had I worked hard to achieve it. I struggled to stay in a career I knew wasn't for me when I was called to do something else, something more aligned with my mission, and yet, here I was. How do I know this place? For five years, I felt left behind while everyone around me moved on.
From careers and relationships to healing and calling, we all have times in life when we feel left behind. We think "I thought I'd be further by now," or "this certainly isn't how I planned my future." We may even begin to battle internally:
-Did I miss God's plan?
-Why is this taking so long?
-Am I doing something wrong?
-Why is everyone else getting everything I worked to achieve?
The truth is, all of these questions are asking the wrong question. Because our future isn't up to us—we're not that powerful. But it is up to God to whom we should fully surrender our lives. And when we spend more time comparing ourselves to others, we forget to stay in our lane. Because God has a unique plan for you that cannot be shaken or delayed, no matter how much others around us succeed.
In John 11, there's a beautiful story that illustrates this point. Beautiful in the fact that we know how the story ends. But for Mary and Martha, if Jesus had just come sooner, their brother Lazarus would've been rescued from death.
When Jesus learned of Lazarus' sickness, He took His time. He didn't go to him the right way, and even this surprised His Disciples. Yet He had a plan that they, and even Mary and Martha, wouldn't comprehend. In fact, by the time Jesus reaches the 2 sisters, they are distraught. It's been days. Lazarus is dead. In the grave. Confused and grieving, they tell Jesus, "If only you'd been here." And Jesus wept—fully knowing in just a few minutes, He would raise Lazarus from the grave.
You and I will continue to face circumstances that make us feel left behind in this life. Circumstances where we ask, "Lord, why haven't you shown up sooner?" But in these moments, Jesus is still near to us. He loves us. And despite what we feel, His delay doesn't equal denial. God's timing can feel painful, but it's never careless because we serve a God who enters the grief to be with us in it, not just perform the miracle.
Comparing our lifestyles and timelines to others' is often human nature, but friends' and cultures' timelines aren't the same as God's. His ways and thoughts are above our own, but that's a good thing, and it's for a reason. Having faith in Jesus doesn't guarantee speed. It often slows us down. But it does so to realign us with His will. Comparison will always continue to distort our calling, but when we stop measuring our life by someone else's progress, we begin to see more clearly.
Today, no matter what timeline has you baffled, bring your disappointment honestly to God. Cry, scream, and hit your pillow if you need to. But then, sit in a posture of surrender. Trust that unseen growth still counts and He's doing something beautiful with your life on His timeline, because He is.
Friends, God sees the full story. We may not always understand His delays or ways, but you're not behind in what you're facing. Those goals, dreams, and ambitions still matter to Him. And they always will. But we're called to trust, have patience, and surrender. God isn't rushing your story, even if you are. And feeling behind doesn't mean you're behind. Some of His best work in our lives happens when we're in seasons that feel like delays. The question is, what will you choose to learn from these moments?
Prayer
Dear Jesus, when life's delays get the best of me, remind me that you're in control. Your plan and timing are best, even if I don't presently understand. When I feel alone and forgotten, give me hope and strength to keep going as I continually trust you. I love you, Lord. Amen.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/kieferpix
Originally published Tuesday, 28 April 2026.
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