Part 3: The Alone Season: Surrender, Pruning, and Letting Jesus Work!

Check out part 2 of this series before reading this https://www.shiftworthyministries.com/post/part-2-the-worthy-cafe-table-returning-to-my-roots

But then… a month went by.

And suddenly, the routine felt mundane. I got discouraged. I found myself thinking,

“I’m doing all this work… but is it even doing anything?”

Oh Kingdom friend, that moment is part of the journey too.

Sometimes we think shifting to Jesus is going to be easy. At first the shift feels fresh and exciting, new habits, new routines, new spiritual momentum. It’s kind of like the New Year's resolution to go to the gym. You start off pumped, meal prepped, motivated… and then you miss a day. And the next thing you know, you feel like you're back at ground zero.

That’s exactly where I found myself. After getting a mentor, setting up solid routines, and feeling so aligned with Jesus, somehow I slipped. I got discouraged and slowly started dropping my habits one by one. It was like I had been climbing this beautiful mountain with Jesus, full of peace, joy, and momentum, and then out of nowhere this huge snake (the enemy) popped out whispering:

“Does this really matter?” “You’re wasting your time.” “Did God really tell you to do this?” “This is pointless.”

And instead of stepping over that snake, I let those lies sink in.

I literally lost my joy. If you know me, I’m basically a Hallmark card filled with pre-workout ready to hype you up, but suddenly I wasn’t anymore. Usually I can go through something and still carry joy on the outside. But this time? It showed. People were asking me where I’d been, how I was, what happened with the ministry… and I didn’t even know how to answer.

My responses were fuzzy and discouraging because that’s exactly how my heart felt.

Then came the next phase, people asking, “Are you okay?” “What’s wrong?” Even people close to me didn’t want to be around me because I just wasn’t myself. It felt like a Job moment, but I still had my Tuesday Bible study girls who could relate a little.

I wasn’t smiling. I couldn’t even fake smile. That’s when it hit me: “Wow… I’m really off the trail. I’m not even at the Worthy Café taking a break. I’m lost on this mountain following this huge ugly snake.”

And to anyone who encountered me in that season, I’m sorry. Truly.

During that time I found myself isolating. I used to go to coffee shops or walk around my neighborhood… but instead, I locked myself in my room. I felt overwhelmed, discouraged, and honestly just spiritually tired.

Then I got sick!

And I had this moment where I was out in public, surrounded by people, pale, light-headed, barely able to walk. It was scary. And this thought hit me:

“Jessica, you have no one to call. You have to do this alone.”

But hear me, that thought wasn’t from Jesus. That was the enemy preying on a tender place my singleness, my independence, my history of feeling like I’ve always had to take care of myself.

He planted lies like:

“You don’t have anyone.” “You’re on your own.” “You can’t be weak or sick, no one will take care of you.”

But the truth? I wasn’t alone. The Holy Spirit was with me every step of the way. Honestly, He’s the only reason I walked to my car and drove home safely. I felt Him steadying me the whole time.

Once I got home, I rested… then I praised Him. And that’s when Jesus lovingly led me to the roots of my striving, the pressure I put on myself, the fear of depending on anyone, the belief that I have to carry everything alone.

But I don’t. And neither do you, Kingdom friend!

Yes, I had a moment where I wished Jesus would just pop up in human form and take care of me, but He reminded me He already does… through the Holy Spirit. That moment became my final wake-up call.

I realized: I don’t need a person to pick me up. Jesus already did. I don’t need the enemy’s lies about loneliness. Jesus is my constant. I don’t need to be “the strong one” all the time. Jesus is my strength.

After that, I got back on my path on Mount Worthy. I picked up right where I left off, my habits, routines, and daily shifts toward Jesus. This time with blinders on, keeping my eyes fixed forward, and ear plugs in, listening only to Jesus, not the snake.

The alone season wasn’t punishment, it was pruning. It wasn’t abandonment, it was alignment. It wasn’t emptiness, it was preparation.

And Kingdom friend, if you’re in that place too… Jesus is with you on your mountain. Even when you feel lost. Even when the lies get loud. Even when you’re walking alone.

He’s working. He’s pruning. He’s strengthening. He’s shifting you back to Him.

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"Part 4: Decorating Differently: A Holy Spirit Reset in My Season of Transition!"

Coming December 25, 2025