I Stepped Away… and I Started to See Clearly

I’ve been off social media for a couple of weeks now. Not just to disconnect but as a fast and intentional time set aside to be with God. And in that quiet, something shifted. When the noise went away, I didn’t just hear God more clearly, I began to hear Him in ways I hadn’t before. During this time, I was reading When God Speaks by Joshua Giles, and it was as if God was speaking directly to me through every page. I wasn’t just reading a book, it became a personal experience.

I found myself slowing down… praying… worshiping… crying…sitting in stillness… and then writing what I sensed, what I heard, what I believed God was saying. And what I realized is God doesn’t just speak one way. He speaks through His Word, a quiet whisper, impressions on your heart, through people, dreams, visions, and even signs. But if your life is too loud, you will miss Him. I had to learn to quiet my mind to hear Him and clearly discern what was from Him and what was just noise. And in that place, He began to reveal things not just about Him but about me, my life, and what’s next.

There was a time when I would pick up the phone and call people without hesitation. Talking for hours. Connection felt easy. But in this season, I’ve had to sit with a different reality. There are a few people I once considered close friends who are no longer present in my life. And fasting has a way of bringing truth to the surface, not just about others but about you. If I’m honest, I’ve spent time in prayer asking God to show me my part. I wanted to know if I did something wrong, if I mishandled something, if there was anything I needed to take accountability for. But instead of giving me a list of faults, God kept redirecting me not to what I lost but to what I’ve gained. I gained more time with Him, clarity and deeper, more intentional moments with the people who are still in my circle.

And here’s the insight that settled in my spirit during this fast. Sometimes God will remove the noise of people so you can hear the truth about your season and that shifted everything. Because if we’re not careful, our minds will always pull us toward lack. Toward what’s missing. Toward who walked away. It’s easy to sit in that space and ask, “Why me?” But I made a decision in this season that I’m not putting my energy into what left but
what remains. I’m appreciating the people who are still showing up. (They know who they are, thank you!) I’m valuing the time, the conversations, and the presence I do have. I’m also being honest about something else. I don’t want to return to what God has already revealed as misaligned in my life. PHEW! I’m no longer building relationships based on history or convenience but on alignment and purpose.

As I continued to sit with God, He also gave me instructions. I have a clear direction, new insight and even downloads for what’s next, including my upcoming retreats. Start saving now! He has issued a clarion call and only those who hear His voice will answer. I wrote things down that I can’t fully share yet because several things are already in motion. But what I can say is that God is still speaking and He is strategic about what He reveals and when. I believe with all my heart this is connected to what He is doing in my life right now.

Because one word keeps rising in my spirit: CLIMB

You can’t climb while holding onto dead weight. You also can’t climb with people who can celebrate you at one level but cannot withstand your growth at the next. So I’m letting go of what no longer aligns, not with bitterness or resentment but with clarity and purpose.

I’m choosing to trust that what God is building in this season requires lighter hands and a higher focus.

So I’ll keep climbing,

Shana