The Voices We Hear
We are accustomed to voices speaking — whether our inner voice or that of others. Truthfully, what we hear is not always motivation and encouragement, but sometimes negativity and discouragement. This often occurs when our current circumstances seem to say that we are late, way behind on the goal.
And yes, our circumstances speak too. Age keeps advancing, school feels long behind us, and experiences seem too few for the dream job. It’s like creating a vision board for five years, only to reach the end and feel you haven’t attained it.
That was how I felt once after looking at a five-year vision board that had come to maturity. But I learned that perception is everything. I had to assess and realize I did not put in enough time and work to make it happen. Yes, I did some work — just not enough. Yet in the moment I was about to become distraught, I realized I could see signs of everything on that vision board, though they were in very early stages of growth. It was not gone, it was not lost — and that was most important.
See what does a fruitful life looks like for you right now?
“Circumstances may speak delay, but God’s Word speaks destiny“
Listening to the Right Voice
From circumstances to voices, the one we choose to hear matters most. The voice we listen to is important, and this time, God’s voice must take precedence. Yes, there are things He has said that you are still waiting for, and it has been a while. But because He said it, you know there is always hope.
We can see this vividly in Sarah’s story. She faced the challenges of barrenness, longing for a child but unable to conceive. She reached a point where she gave up hope. It was not just barrenness anymore — time itself was gone. The window of opportunity or possibility had closed. Yet when God speaks, His word overrides impossibility. “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever” (Isaiah 40:8).
Faith Over Fear
Even when God’s voice speaks, fear often tries to answer back. Sarah’s inner voice spoke loudly when the angel gave the promised word again. She pondered within herself: “After I am old and my lord is too old, will I now have this pleasure?” (Genesis 18:12).
Most times, the things that make us feel behind are time and age. These are always passing by — it’s the normal progression of life. But when your life feels like it’s not moving at the same speed, discouragement sets in. You would prefer to be ahead, advanced for your age, further along in time. That’s exactly how Sarah felt: not only was she old, but Abraham was old too. She doubted her own capacity and his ability to contribute.
This is the clash of voices: Sarah’s inner voice said, “It’s too late.” God’s voice said, “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah shall have a son” (Genesis 18:14). Faith silences fear by choosing which voice to believe.
Sometimes our inner voice says, “You’re too late, too unprepared, too weak.” But faith answers back: “God is able.” Fear looks at limitations; faith looks at the limitless God. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).
“Faith silences fear by choosing which voice to believe.”
The Joy of Fulfillment
But faith doesn’t just silence fear — it opens the door to joy. We usually want to enjoy the things we pursue. One of the fears of being “behind” is that our time of enjoyment will be cut short — that we won’t have enough time to truly celebrate the accomplishment.
Sarah’s story shows otherwise. She had Isaac, and though she passed before seeing him marry and have children, she spent approximately 40 more years with her son. I am sure she tried to make the best of every moment, and Isaac’s deep attachment to his mother was evident. Her laughter at his birth was not just a moment — it was the beginning of a season of joy.
This reminds us that God not only fulfills His promises, but He also gives us grace to enjoy them. “The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and He adds no sorrow with it” (Proverbs 10:22). His blessings are not rushed or diminished; they come with the fullness of His timing.
And joy itself is part of His promise. “Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy” (Psalm 126:2). That verse captures the heart of fulfillment — not just receiving what was promised, but savoring it, celebrating it, and letting it overflow into praise.
So when fear whispers that time is gone, remember Sarah’s laughter. Remember that God gives both the promise and the joy to live it out. He redeems time, restores hope, and ensures that His blessings are not only fulfilled but enjoyed.
After joy comes the reminder: fulfillment flows best when we align with His Word and wait on His timing.
“Joy is not just the promise fulfilled — it’s the grace to savor it.”
Trusting His Word, Waiting on His Time
Trust is the foundation, and joy is the fruit. Submit to His will and promises. Sarah tried to make adjustments to God’s vision by giving Hagar to Abraham (Genesis 16:2), but that was not His plan.
We often do the same when we believe we are behind or it’s too late. We minimize the vision, oversimplify the goals and targets, because doubt cloaked as reality overshadows what God originally said. But His Word requires trust, not compromise. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).
And here’s the truth: God’s timing is perfect. Scripture is loaded with examples of Him doing things that don’t align with the natural or normal course. He delights in blowing our minds, keeping us in awe as He demonstrates His great wonders.
We see this with the death of Lazarus. “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:21). Jesus appeared four days after Lazarus had died and was buried. To everyone, if He had arrived while Lazarus was sick, there was still hope. But now time had passed, the body was deteriorating, and hope seemed gone. Yet Jesus demonstrated that God’s Word doesn’t die. “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die” (John 11:25). He Himself is able to bring back anything dead or on the verge of dying — even the vision He gave you.
On-Time Vision
And so we return to vision, where everything comes together. If He gave you the vision, you are not late. Sarah said, “God has made me laugh, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me” (Genesis 21:6). He can still make you laugh, even in your perceived moment of being behind — and He will.
That laughter is proof. When you look at your vision, your goals, or your dreams, remember: the signs of growth are evidence that it is not lost. He knows how to help you in this moment in such a way that it will flourish. “He has made everything beautiful in its time” (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
Sarah’s journey, Lazarus’ resurrection, and your own vision all point to one truth: the voice of discouragement will always try to speak, but God’s Word proves stronger. The voices of fear, delay, and impossibility may rise, but they are not the authority. His Word is. His promises are. His timing is.
“The vision is not lost — it is waiting for God’s appointed time.”
So how do we silence the voice that says you are behind?
We stick to what He said, no matter what.
“Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:14).
Absolutely not!
This reflection is part of my author journey at Plunkett Writes. You can also follow along on Instagram @plunkettwrites, where I share my writing journey.