🏆 What Does Winning Look Like When Life Feels Chaotic?

The alarm went off, and before I could even rollover, the to-do list was already marching through my head like a parade of tiny drill sergeants. 🪖

Lunches to pack. Emails waiting. Work calls. Church commitments. A kitchen that looked like it had survived a minor explosion. And three little boys shouting over each other while I rushed to find the missing shoe.

A mom's morning, right? 😵‍💫

Actually… not necessarily. My head felt like it might explode—but that wasn’t God’s heart for me.

While I still had a lot to learn about burnout, boundaries, and rest (and how I’d even mistaken overworking for holiness), God didn’t meet me with reprimand. He met me with blessing—gentle affirmation right in the middle of my chaos.

God didn’t say, “Get it together, Kelsi.” He whispered, “I see you. I’m with you. Even here.” And that truth broke into my swirl in the most unexpected way.

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So one day...

Somewhere between the dishes and packing lunches, I opened the fridge to yet another green smoothie massacre. 🫗🫠

It was the straw that broke me. I threw my hands up, sighed loud, and muttered: “I just can’t win.”

And then—clear as day—I heard God’s gentle reply:

Kelsi, this is what winning looks like.

I froze mid-sandwich. What? Wasn’t winning supposed to look calmer, cleaner, more…together? Yet His words landed heavy in my spirit, cutting through the noise.

He wasn’t applauding my productivity. He was affirming my priorities.

“You’re letting the right things fall through the cracks. You’re nailing it, Kelsi.”

And that stopped me in my tracks. 🥹

The dishes weren’t failure—they were proof of full bellies and family laughter.

The messy living room wasn’t chaos—it was connection and church.

The ministry moments we chose over tidiness? Worth every mess.

Even my frantic rushing was whispering for me to slow down. Heaven’s scoreboard was different.

It wasn’t a problem—it was real life. And God was right in the middle of it all. 🌟

I felt seen, deeply loved, fully known. Suddenly the “I can’t win” became His whisper: You’re already winning—with Me.

Chewing on that reality helped me begin to see more clearly.

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The Joy Factor 🎉

Here’s what I’ve realized:

There are always two worlds—what’s happening around you and what’s happening inside you.

Kandi talked last week about the swirl of thoughts that hijack our mornings. And she’s right—if left unchecked, they’ll write the whole day. For me, the swirl didn’t just stay in my head. It spilled into my sink, my schedule, my kitchen table.

If you wait for the external to calm down, you’ll stay stuck. 🌀

But when you let joy anchor your internal world, the external gets reframed. ⛓️‍💥

That’s where wisdom and clarity unlock. It's the mind renewal where God shows you truth you couldn't see before, and it changes the way you see, show up, and make choices.

And according to God, joy is more than possible... it's essential.

Romans 14:17 reminds us:

“The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

And Psalm 16:11 says:

“In Your presence is fullness of joy.”

Joy isn’t an add-on. It’s the very atmosphere of God’s kingdom. It's the reason Jesus endured the cross. And when His Spirit lives in you—so does joy. Which means the laundry pile, the schedule, the deadlines? They can all be reframed as places where joy is eager to break in.

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Frustration = Freedom’s Signal 🚨

For years, I thought friction points meant I was weak. What I didn’t realize is frustration doesn’t mean failure—no—frustration is often the sound of breakthrough pressing in.

Romans 8:18–21 lays out this:

1️⃣ Struggles < Glory 🧨

“Our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Hard parts don’t diminish God’s glory but amplify it. And because of Jesus, the glory of Christ-in-you is a present reality—right now. His glory will be revealed in you through both endurance AND joy!

2️⃣ Frustration = Liberation 🗽

That inner groaning? It’s creation aching for freedom. The tension you feel isn’t proof of failure—it’s evidence that God is preparing to release more of His Spirit through you. It's building momentum for breakthrough, if you let it.

3️⃣ The World Awaits the Real You 🎁

“Creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.” Heaven is leaning in, waiting for you to rise into your truest self—fully alive in Jesus. And when you do, it sparks others to do the same. (PS, that ripple effect is God’s global goal!)

So don’t dismiss your sighs. They’re not wasted—they’re signals. What feels heavy may be the birthing ground of glory. Intentionally pause and bring them to Jesus instead.

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A New Definition of Winning 🏆

After that morning, I started asking Him daily:

“Lord, what does winning look like today?”

And His answers surprised me:

• “Put the phone down.” → Which led to an unhurried giggle-fest with my boys.

• “Take that break.” → Which opened a window for His peace to settle in.

• “Ask for help.” → Which humbled me and drew me closer to my husband and friends.

Winning stopped being about a completed list or calendar date when my idealist, perfectionistic brain feels like it's finally "arrived." (😂.) It became about presence—His and mine.

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Here’s the Truth 💡

Joy isn’t a finish line—it’s a companion.

Peace isn’t a reward—it’s an inheritance.

And winning isn’t about doing everything—it’s about discerning what actually matters.

As Elizabeth Elliot once said:

“The secret of joy is Christ-in-me—not me in another set of circumstances.”

Christ-in-me means that I have access to His joy and wisdom right now.

That’s the shift you and I need.

When we partner with God, He shows us what to hold onto, what to release, and how to let joy reshape the chaos.

And if you’re ready to go deeper—learning to discern God's voice and redefine success in your everyday life—this is exactly why we created the Revival Life Signature Course. It’s the step-by-step process and support you need to discover your purpose, silence the swirl, and walk in peace-filled confidence—right where you are.

Life isn’t a race to keep up—it’s a daily invitation to walk with Him and discover that the “messy middle” might just be proof you’re already winning. 🌟

Before you’ll ever have a compelling mission with God, you get to live as a daughter of God. And that’s enough.

Make no mistake: you’re chosen, set apart, destined for greatness. Your burning bush moments will come, but your truest purpose flows straight from your union with Him.

He loves to show you off and empower you so you can empower others.

And yes—the universe is watching, eager for you to rise into your full potential. 🫶🏽

So go on, girl—live joyfully, even in the chaos. 💕

Kelsi