The Spiritual Bypassing Trap: When 'Just Pray About It' Becomes Procrastination

This is for the Christian woman entrepreneur who's been "praying about it" for months while her business stays stuck. If that's not you, skip this one—but share it with someone who's been seeking God's will about the same decision since 2023.

The "Praying About It" Epidemic

Grab your favorite drink (I'm drinking peppermint tea today) and let's have an honest conversation about something that's been bugging me—and probably you too.

There's a phrase that's become the ultimate Christian entrepreneur escape hatch, and it's destroying more businesses than failed marketing campaigns.

That phrase? "I'm just praying about it."

Now before you think I'm about to bash prayer—I'm not. Prayer is powerful, essential, and absolutely necessary for Christian entrepreneurs. But somewhere along the way, we've twisted this beautiful spiritual discipline into a sophisticated form of procrastination.

I see it everywhere:

• "I'm praying about raising my prices" (translation: I'm scared of rejection)

• "I'm seeking God's will about launching" (translation: I'm afraid it won't work)

• "I need to pray about hiring help" (translation: I don't want to spend the money)

• "God hasn't given me peace about that marketing strategy" (translation: it feels uncomfortable)

Sis, can we be real for a minute? Sometimes "I'm praying about it" is just Christian code for "I'm terrified to make a decision."

When Spirituality Becomes Paralysis

Here's what I've discovered through my own journey and countless conversations with Christian women entrepreneurs: We've confused spiritual discernment with spiritual bypassing.

Spiritual discernment is seeking God's wisdom to make informed, faith-filled decisions.

Spiritual bypassing is using spiritual language to avoid the discomfort of actually deciding and acting.

The difference? Discernment leads to action. Bypassing leads to endless analysis.

Let me ask you something uncomfortable: How many decisions have you been "praying about" for months—or even years—while your business stays stuck in the same place?

How many opportunities have you missed while waiting for a burning bush experience that may never come?

Here's the truth that might sting: God gave you a brain, wisdom, and the Holy Spirit as your counselor. He expects you to use all three, not just pray and wait for Him to make every decision for you.

Think about it this way: When we drive at night, we have faith that the road continues beyond what your headlights reveal. We don't pull over and call a prayer line about whether to keep driving. When we sit in a chair, we unconsciously exercise faith that it will hold us-right?—we don't seek God's will about every piece of furniture.

Yet in business, we act like every decision requires a divine download when God has already equipped us with wisdom, discernment, and the ability to move forward in faith.

Biblical Decision-Making vs. Spiritual Procrastination

Let's look at how these biblical women actually made decisions:

Jael (Judges 4) didn't spend time praying about what to do when enemy commander Sisera came to her tent. She made a split-second strategic decision that changed the course of Israel's battle.

Esther didn't endlessly seek God's will about approaching the king. She fasted, prayed for three days, then made her move.

The Proverbs 31 woman "considers a field and buys it." She evaluated, decided, and purchased. No mention of months of prayer meetings about real estate.

Deborah (Judges 4) - As a judge and prophetess, she made military and legal decisions regularly. When it was time for battle, she told Barak exactly what to do and when.

Notice the pattern? Prayer informed their decisions. It didn't replace them.

These biblical leaders understood something we've forgotten: Faith requires action, not just intention.

These women understood that God works through decisive action, not endless deliberation.

How to Tell the Difference: Prayer vs. Procrastination

Here's how to identify when you're spiritually bypassing instead of genuinely seeking God:

You're procrastinating when:

• You keep asking God for the same answer to the same question (stop it)

• You're waiting for a "feeling" instead of evaluating facts

• You refuse to move forward without 100% certainty (where is your faith?)

• Your "prayer time" about this decision never includes research or planning

• You've been seeking God's will about the same thing for months with no progress

You're truly discerning when:

• You pray for wisdom, then gather information

• You seek counsel from wise advisors alongside prayer

• You're willing to act on the wisdom you receive

• You set a decision deadline and stick to it

• You trust God enough to make imperfect decisions and course-correct (remember you have the Holy Spirit)

THE 3-DAY DECISION FRAMEWORK

I created this as a solution to break free from spiritual bypassing forever:

DAY 1: PRAY & GATHER

• Spend 15 minutes in focused prayer asking for wisdom (not for God to decide for you)

• Write down the decision you need to make clearly (use a journal, of course)

• List the pros and cons based on facts, not feelings

• Research or gather any information you need

• Set a specific deadline: "I will decide by Day 3"

DAY 2: COUNSEL & CLARIFY

• Seek advice from 1-2 wise people who understand your situation

• Identify your biggest fear about each option - name it specifically

• Check your motives: Is this aligned with your calling and values?

• Write down what you're sensing after prayer and counsel

DAY 3: DECIDE & ACT

• Review your notes from Days 1 and 2

• Make the best decision with the information you have

• Take one concrete action step immediately (even if small)

• Trust God to work through your decision

• Release the outcome to Him

That's it. Three days. No more "I'm still praying about it" after 90 days.

The Sacred Action Step for Decision-Makers

Here's what I want you to consider: What decisions have you been avoiding by wrapping them in spiritual language?

What opportunities have passed by while you waited for divine intervention that was never coming?

God isn't glorified by your paralysis—He's glorified by your faith-filled action.

Right now—yes, today—I want you to identify one decision you've been "praying about" for more than 30 days and commit to using THE 3-DAY DECISION FRAMEWORK starting today.

This could be:

• Finally launching that program you've been "seeking God's will" about

• Hiring the team member you've been "praying about" for months

• Implementing the marketing strategy you've been "discerning" forever

• Setting the boundary you've been "seeking peace" about

Use the 3-Day Framework. Stop the endless spiritual bypassing. Make the decision and trust God to work through it.

This isn't just a business decision—it's a declaration that:

• You trust God enough to act on the wisdom He's already given you

• You believe He can work through your imperfect decisions

• You're ready to partner with Him instead of waiting for Him to do everything

P.S. Take This Further

Did this hit a nerve? Was it the wake-up call you didn't know you needed?

Hit reply and tell me: What would change in your business if you stopped spiritually bypassing and started spiritually partnering? Remember, I read every message and I'm cheering you on—especially if you're making that decision this week. 🙌

You're not meant to struggle to prove your faith—you're meant to thrive because of it.

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