What to Do When You Feel Like You're Falling Behind - iBelieve Truth: A Devotional for Women - August 15, 2026
Today's Key Scriptures
- "The least of you will become a thousand, the smallest a mighty nation. I am the Lord; in its time I will do this swiftly." - Isaiah 60:22
- "My times are in your hands." - Psalm 31:15
- "Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart." - Psalm 37:4
Today's Reflection
Ever felt like you’ve fallen behind? That was me and marriage. A group of us started a doctoral program together and moved through each year as a cohort. By the time two of my peers began their journeys as grad students, however, they had already married their significant others. Fast forward 10 years, and I heard about their latest update. By then, they had gotten divorced and remarried. Yours truly, on the contrary, started and finished that same program as a single woman. Although the six-year stretch afforded me some dating opportunities, no serious prospects emerged.
Family history offered me no consolation. My mother and father set the standard by being married in their twenties. My younger sister followed suit at 22. I watched all of them and assumed that of course, I would conclude my singleness before exiting my twenties too. Wrong. By the time I hit 30, I was still as single as a lost earring.
Perhaps you’re more concerned about climbing the corporate ladder than claiming a spouse. Or maybe you’re still renting when your cousins are proud property owners and your friends are feeling fulfilled in their careers and businesses. Life feels hard when you’re forced to sit out the very thing you see others enjoy—as though the clock you’re following is broken, stuck at the same hour and minute, never advancing. When will your turn come?
Good news: there’s an appointed time for everything in your life (Psalm 31:15). Whether it’s purchasing a fixer-upper, giving birth to a longed-for baby, launching a profitable business, or something else, the Lord knows the desires of your heart. He’s very aware of when these things will unfold. It might feel comforting to know that God will accomplish things quickly when it’s time for Him to move on your behalf (Isaiah 60:22). When the heavenly clock strikes and your time to advance arrives, He won’t tolerate any delay.
Until that time comes, there’s internal work to be done. Quiet your soul and ask inside: why do you feel you’re behind? If the answer has to do with comparison—as in, everyone your age has gone through certain milestones except for you—there are a couple of practical steps to take. First, remember that our faithful God doesn’t suffer from dementia. He keeps you and your appointed times in mind. He will help you level up in due time.
Second, let’s work on getting off the comparison process. Ask yourself about the perks of comparing your station in life with another person’s. Why do it? What are you hoping to gain? Comparisons can be the fastest way to depress us. If comparing yourself to others hasn’t benefited you, let’s set an intention to stop it. Trust that God is at work, even if you’re the only person you know who hasn’t ___ (fill in the blank with the reasons you feel behind).
God answered my heart’s cry to be married, which happened three months to the day before my 35th birthday. This same God will satisfy the desires of your heart when the right time comes. The key is to keep your affections on Him (Psalm 37:4).
Let's pray ...
Lord Jesus,
Help me delight in You no matter what else is, or is not, going on. Help me trust that You see me, that You care about my heart, and that You will fulfill my desires at the right time. Help me break the habit of comparing myself to others. In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
What truth from today’s devotional is God using to encourage your heart? Share your reflection and join our conversation in the iBelieve Truth Devotional Forum.
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Priscilla Du Preez
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