The Longer You Wait to Make a Change, the Worse This Gets

In partnership with

How Delay Damages Your Mind, Your Body, and Your Spirit)

The “Cult of Hustle” says you will change when life slows down.
“Hollow Wellness” says you will change when inspiration finally arrives.
Both are traps. Waiting almost always makes things heavier, not easier.

I learned this in a painful way.

When I waited too long to make a needed change

I once had a toxic friend I should have distanced myself from much sooner. Something in me hesitated. I kept overthinking how they might react or what they might say. That hesitation cost me more than peace. It cost me money that belonged to someone who actually needed it.

A parishioner had asked for help, and I had set aside money to bless them. My friend borrowed that same amount and promised to return it by Friday. Friday came and went. The money never came back, and I had to pick up a side gig to replace what I lost.

In that moment, I realized something important. If I had acted when the first signs of toxicity appeared, I would have avoided the loss. Delay did not protect the relationship. Delay only made everything worse.

Now, I evaluate people more carefully before calling them friends. I act sooner when I see unhealthy patterns. I no longer let anyone convince me that I did not see what my own eyes clearly revealed.

Delay is expensive. It costs peace. It costs time. It costs clarity. Sometimes it even costs your calling.

Scripture exposes the danger of delay

Proverbs 13:12 — “Hope deferred makes the heart sick.”

Putting off what God is nudging you to do weakens courage and burdens the soul.

St. Hesychios the Priest expressed it this way:
“Do not delay when light comes. Walk while you have it.”

When God gives clarity, the grace to act is strongest in that moment.

What actually happens in your brain when you wait

Neuroscience shows that delaying a needed change increases:

• Cortisol
• Mental fatigue
• Fear-based thinking
• Overthinking loops
• Decision paralysis

When you avoid a needed change, your brain begins treating it like a threat.
The longer you wait, the larger the “threat signal” grows.

Small problems feel impossible when postponed.

Delay also makes spiritual life heavier

When conviction comes, grace stands ready.
But the longer you ignore the nudge, the harder movement becomes.
Not because God withdraws.
Because the heart builds layers of resistance.

St. John Climacus said it clearly:
“Delay is the death of obedience.”

A simple way to break the delay cycle

• Start with five minutes today
• Choose one small action toward the change you have been avoiding
• Pray: “Lord, strengthen my steps.”
• Let effort, not emotion, carry you forward

Once you begin, the pressure drops.
Your brain shifts from panic to progress.
Dopamine rises.
Courage grows.

Why this matters for professionals

The “Cult of Hustle” keeps you busy but unchanged.
“Hollow Wellness” soothes but never transforms.

Blue Church Living calls you to act while grace is fresh —
to move when God whispers, not when life forces you.

Change becomes harder the longer you wait. But once you take the first step, the burden lifts and the path opens.

The daily health habit you’ll actually stick with…

This time of year, it’s SO hard to stay in control of your health.

Holiday travel (and meals!), big family gatherings, dark and cold days, it’s easy to skip that workout, sleep in later than you should, or have just one more cookie.

That’s why you need a daily health habit that’s easy to stick with.

Meet AG1: With just one quick scoop every morning, you’ll get over 75 ingredients that help support your immune health, gut health, energy, and close nutrient gaps in your diet.

Right now is the best time to get started - with every new subscription, they are giving away $126 in free gifts for the holidays.

Give AG1 a try today and take control of your health this holiday season.

Give AG1 a try today