Do you let spirit lead your life?

We live in a culture that praises strategy, vision boarding, and ten-step plans to “get there.”

We’re taught to initiate our own lives—to set goals, create action plans, hustle, manifest, and make it happen. And often, it works—at least on the outside.

But there comes a moment on the spiritual path when self-initiation begins to feel... hollow, or exhausting.

Despite success, something feels off. Despite doing everything "right," there’s a lack of peace, fulfillment, or flow. And that’s when a deeper truth begins to emerge:

Not all visions are meant to be self-initiated. Some are meant to be received.

What is Divine Initiation?

Self-initiation is rooted in control. It starts with our vision, our timeline, our effort. It often carries the weight of striving, forcing, and micromanaging. Even when inspired by Spirit, we tend to grab hold of the vision and run ahead, trying to make it happen our own way.

Divine initiation, on the other hand, begins with surrender. It asks us to receive rather than strive. To listen rather than plan. It unfolds in partnership with something greater—what some call God, Spirit, Source, or Higher Self.

The tricky part? Many of the visions we self-initiate actually originate from the Divine. But our attempt to control them—to "own" them—can distort the process. We either wear ourselves out trying to force alignment or accidentally derail what was trying to unfold with ease and grace.

Discernment: How Do You Know Which Path You’re On?

One of the clearest signs that you’re operating from self-initiation rather than Divine guidance is lack of fulfillment, efforting, or exhaustion.

It’s possible to be successful and completely unfulfilled. To be productive and completely disconnected. To build something beautiful that drains the life out of you.

Self-initiated paths can be impressive—but they often lack fruit. They exhaust you. They don’t nourish your soul. It is easy to mistake a feeling of accomplishment as fulfillment; but when we do, it will leave us always striving for more because our soul isn't actually satiated.

Divine initiation may be slower, more mysterious, less linear—but it bears fruit that lasts. It aligns your inner peace with your outer purpose. Even in difficulty, it feels right.

Making the Shift: From Force to Flow

There’s no one-size-fits-all method for transitioning into Divine initiation. But one powerful step is this:

Stop making plans.

For a season, let go of the need to strategize your life. Detach from outcomes. Release your visions—even the most beautiful ones. Let there be space.

This doesn’t mean vision and action are wrong. They’re vital. But when we pause long enough to surrender what we want, we make room to receive what Heaven wants for us.

Giving your life to God doesn't mean letting go of all of your desires and living a poor, sacrificial life...quite the opposite. It means letting go of your egoic attachments and trust the Divine to lead your life in a way that not only meets the deeper desires of your heart, but unfolds in a more easeful way…and often, it is even more extraordinary, abundant, and fulfilling than you could ever have imagined.

If you're feeling out of the flow or drained by life, we would love to support you. Contact us to set up an intake call to see if Spiritual Guidance Counseling is right for you. Book a complimentary intake call.