You’ve been doing what needs to be done. You respond quickly, keep things moving, smooth over tension, and handle what’s in front of you.
But somewhere between the calendar alerts and the mental checklists, you feel it—that quiet sense that your life is being shaped by urgency, not intention. You’re not lost. You’re just tired of living at the speed of the moment. I know this feeling well.
Stop Focusing on Momentary Things
The quiet trap of the moment
Focusing on momentary things isn’t sinful or shallow. They’re just loud. They ask for immediate attention: respond now, decide now, fix this now. And because they feel urgent, they feel important. But urgency is not the same as significance. Many women, especially women seeking direction, are conditioned to prioritize what stabilizes the moment:
- Keeping everyone calm
- Avoiding conflict
- Making quick decisions so nothing falls apart
- Choosing what feels responsible, even when it feels misaligned
Over time, those moment-by-moment choices stack up. Not into clarity, but into exhaustion. Scripture names this tension more clearly than we often realize.
Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.
Notice what this verse doesn’t say. It doesn’t say “solve everything immediately.” Nor does it say “react quickly.” What it does say is to trust in God, pour out your heart to God. This requires you to slow down and make an intentional decision.
Why momentary thinking feels so convincing
This pull toward the immediate isn’t a character flaw; it’s human. Our brains prefer short-term relief. The American Psychological Association regularly reports that under stress, people default to choices that reduce discomfort fastest, even if those choices undermine long-term well-being. When life feels heavy, the moment feels like the safest place to aim.
Decision-making fatigue pushes us towards speed and away from wisdom. As decision fatigue increases in our day-to-day lives, we’re more likely to be reactive instead of reflective.
Women are known to be more emotionally focused in decision-making. Our strengths are responsiveness, agreeability, and accommodation. While these traits might survive the moment, they sometimes don’t serve our long-term calling.
In the Bible, James writes, what I will call a countercultural reframe, about reaction speed. He was writing about everyday trials and temptations that those of us in Christ face. He also writes about listening with intention and taking appropriate action in response.
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
Making Better Choices
Quick reactions may feel productive, but as members of the body of Christ, we should lean toward being better listeners so we can become better responders. Keep your thoughts focused on the positive.
In your prayer life, keep talking to God about the decisions you need to make. Always know that you can seek refuge in Him. Ne an active listener and a slow-reactor. Make sure your reactions are intentional and moment-specific. Keep in mind that words spoken in anger can never return to your mouth.