Walk & Talk with God

Michelle Buchanan

Country view on my morning walk

When my mind gets jumbled, I often go for a walk. There’s something about changing locations, getting my heart pumping, and being outside that helps my thoughts settle. On this particular walk, I found myself wrestling with the familiar question: Am I good enough?

I questioned my capability.

Doubted my direction.

And acknowledged the struggle to keep going.

I’ve learned that physical movement often helps guide my heart’s response. So as I walked, I lifted my hands to heaven. I released the thoughts. I voiced the questions. I shared the doubts in full honesty with the One who holds me in the palm of His hand.

I also talked with Him about the things going well—the areas where I felt strong and capable. But I’ve noticed something subtle and dangerous: when life feels shaky, I often reach for the places that feel stable to find confidence and feel that I’m good enough. That’s when pride begins to whisper.  It cloaks itself in competence, shifting my focus from God to myself.

This is something I rarely hear discussed among women: the temptation of pride – not the obvious kind, but the silent drift towards self-reliance and focus on my performance. It creeps in quietly, until it becomes a stronghold of “I’ve got this,” and I begin to take ownership of what belongs to God.

I’ve learned to bring even that to the Father—my strengths, my wins, my sense of control—because the goal isn’t to feel good about myself, but to stay connected to the Vine, who is Jesus (John 15:1-17). My confidence is not in my ability but in His faithfulness. And my heart finds peace not when I’m strong, but when I surrender.

I released every thought: The weakness. The strengths. All the things.

I walked, and I waited. My feet tapped a steady rhythm against the pavement. And slowly, the jumbled things began to settle into alignment.

Then, a quiet thought arose from deep within: “I approve of you.”

I smiled. I’ve come to recognize the voice of the Good Shepherd. I kept walking, letting that truth settle into my soul.

A few minutes later, another thought entered: “I am pleased with you.”

Tears welled up.

I wrestle to believe this truth, and yet God keeps speaking it over me.

In my striving to earn His approval, to prove my worth, He gently reminds me:

“You are approved because I approve of you. You please Me because you bring Me pleasure—not because of what you do. I am pleased with you.” (Note: see the list of Scriptures at the end of this blog for further understanding of God’s pleasure and approval of you.)

Jesus was clear about what truly matters to the Father in Mark 12:30-31. 

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”

In my pride, I try to earn what’s already mine. Like a child bringing home a 100% spelling test, I’ve been holding up my efforts to God asking, “See? Did I do good?”

His message to me—again—is that I am already His delight.

And in that moment, something shifted.

I remembered: I do what He’s given me to do because I love Him. Not to earn approval. Not to earn pleasure. But because I already have them.

My walk ended, and my heart changed.

Joy swelled where performance used to live. The doubts quieted. The questions lost their grip. And my heart rested—secure—in the palm of His hand.

If your heart needs a reminder that you are held, approved, and deeply loved, take a moment with these verses. Don’t stop at just one verse - read the context and let God’s bigger message of love, acceptance and presence wash over you:

• John 10:28–30

• Eph 1:3-14

• Col 2:9-15

• Rom 8:31-39

• Psalm 139:7-12

I’d love to hear about your journey—your wrestling, your walk. Drop a comment below and let’s be connected.

You’re not alone!