Let’s pause the scroll for a second.
I know—life’s moving fast. You’ve got plans, checklists, maybe even a “word for the year” written somewhere in a journal you haven’t opened in weeks. But can I offer you a gentle, soul deep invitation?
Come back.
Not to the plan. Not to the performance. But to the Person. Come back to God. Because when we drift—even subtly—we start to miss the point. We start striving instead of surrendering. Hustling instead of healing. Seeking answers instead of seeking Him. And slowly but surely, our hearts get tired. We think the solution is more clarity. But it’s actually more connection. We don’t need another podcast, planner, or productivity hack—we need to put God first again. Not someday.
Now
Here’s why.
"I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." – John 16:33
We read this verse, but do we live it?
Because let’s be honest: we try everything else first. We look for peace in routines, in people, in habits, in health, in success. And yet, the moment something cracks—the budget, the relationship, the schedule—we’re spun out all over again.
Why? Because our peace wasn’t anchored. It was borrowed.
Jesus didn’t say you’ll find peace when things settle down. He said you’ll find peace in Me.
That means even when the chaos doesn’t stop, you can. Even when the outcome doesn’t change, your heart can stay steady. Putting God first means no longer waiting on the right conditions to feel calm—it means choosing Him as the condition. It’s not about numbing or avoiding the hard stuff. It’s about standing in the middle of the storm, arms open, heart steady, saying: “I trust Youmore than I trust the outcome.”
We don’t like admitting we’re needy. It feels weak, messy, vulnerable. But here’s the truth: you do have needs. Emotional. Spiritual. Physical. Relational. The question isn’t whether you’re dependent.
The question is: who are you depending on? If it’s not God, it’s something else. And when we stop taking our heart to Him, we start handing it to people, habits, jobs, or platforms—and asking them to do what only God can.
And here’s the kicker: we don’t even realize it at first.
It happens slowly. Quietly. Subtly. One disappointment at a time. One unanswered prayer. One moment where you didn’t feel seen or heard or held. And instead of bringing that pain to God, you bring it to Google. To Instagram. To another task. Another glass of wine. Another self-help book.
But none of it fills you. Because it wasn’t meant to. You were never supposed to carry your need alone. And no one else—not your spouse, not your mentor, not your therapist—can fill it. Only God was built for that.
Putting Him first means recognizing: “I have a need. And I’m bringing it to the One who actually knows what to do with it.”
Let’s talk about what really happens when life gets hard.
You feel let down. You get offended. You start asking, Why, God? And if we’re not careful, that question becomes a wedge between us and the One who loves us most. It’s not wrong to ask questions. But when our questions become agreements with doubt—when they turn into walls instead of bridges—we drift. And that drift doesn’t always look dramatic. Sometimes it just
looks like relying more on our own understanding than His.
We Google instead of praying. We research instead of resting. We manage instead of trusting.And before we know it, we’re carrying everything we were never meant to carry. Putting God first is not a passive surrender—it’s an active realignment. It’s saying, “I don’t need to understand to trust You. I don’t need answers to obey.” That’s not weak. That’s powerful. Because it means doubt doesn’t get the final word. God does.
Let’s revisit one of the most powerful stories in scripture: the woman at the well.
She comes carrying need, shame, history. And what does Jesus do? He doesn’t shame her. He doesn’t lecture her. He doesn’t even expose her sin for sport.
He invites her into truth. He says, “You’ve told the truth.” That’s it. And in that moment—without fanfare or fireworks—her transformation begins. When we put God first, we stop pretending. We stop performing. We stop curating our lives for approval and just show up—real, raw, honest. You don’t have to clean yourself up to come to Jesus. You just have to come.
And when you do? He meets you not with condemnation, but with living water. A satisfaction the world can’t replicate. That’s the power of putting Him first. You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be present.
Jesus told the woman: the time is coming when worship won’t happen on a mountain or in a building. It’ll happen in your heart. Worship isn’t Sunday morning. Worship is how you show up on Monday afternoon.It’s not a playlist or a program. It’s a posture—a deep, internal yes to God.
It’s saying: “You can have all of me. Even the parts I don’t understand. Even the parts I don’t want to talk about.” Putting God first means choosing devotion over distraction. Presence over performance. Faithfulness over flash. And here’s what’s wild: when you live that way—when you truly worship in spirit and in truth—your whole life shifts.
You stop asking, “How do I fix this relationship?” and start asking, “God, how are You inviting me to love more like You?” You stop hustling for impact and start moving from intimacy. You stop striving for perfection and start showing up in grace. Worship isn’t about pretending. It’s about posturing your heart in alignment with the One who made it.
So… What Happens When You Put God First? A recent study by Baylor University examined the relationship between accountability to God and psychological well-being among U.S. adults. The study found that individuals who perceive themselves as accountable to God reported higher levels of dignity, a sense of mattering to others, and meaning in life.
You stop settling for temporary solutions to eternal questions. You stop leaning on your own strength. You stop handing your dependency to things that were never meant to carry it. You stop walking around thirsty—because now, you're connected to the Source.
You’re Not Too Far Gone. You’re Not Too Late. You’re Not Too Broken. If you’re reading this and thinking, “This sounds beautiful, but I’ve already blown it…”—hear me: God is not keeping score. He’s extending an invitation. Right now. Not after you fix it. Not once you “feel” more spiritual. Not when you’ve earned it.
Right now.
What If You Started Today?
What if you stopped waiting for clarity and started walking in trust? What if you stopped trying to be your own source and let Him be your strength? What if you stopped managing your relationship with God like a transaction and started living like it’s the deepest, most transformative relationship you’ll ever have? Because it is. And everything else in your life—your purpose, your relationships, your peace—flows from this.
Not just with your words—but with your heart. Not just in the big decisions—but in the small, ordinary moments. Not because it’s easy. But because it’s worth it. Let Him be your dependency. Let Him be your first conversation in the morning—not your last resort at night. Let Him be your Source—not your side note.
And watch what happens when your life flows from presence, not pressure.
You weren’t made to live depleted. You were made to live dependent—on Him.
Let’s come back to the Source. Let’s re-center. Let’s put God first.
If this blog stirred something in you, Dream, I Dare You will take you deeper. This book is your practical roadmap to put God first—in your faith, your family, your mindset, and your everyday decisions.
Julia Gentry’s message dares you to move from pressure to presence, from performance to purpose. She’ll walk with you step by step as you trade striving for surrender and create a life that’s aligned with the heart of God.
Inside, you’ll:
Start today. Put God first—and watch your whole life align when you click here.
I didn’t become this woman by doing more—I became her by putting God first. When I stopped striving and started surrendering, everything changed.
I’m a better wife, mom, and leader not because life got easier, but because God became greater.
And He can do the same to you.
I want to take you on a faith journey.
Not just a step. Not a sprint. Not another box to check off. But a deep, transformational, from the-inside-out kind of journey—one where we walk together, step by step, into a life of alignment, freedom, and unshakable faith.
Because I believe this: you don’t need more information. You need alignment. You don’t need more hustle. You need heart. You don’t need more goals. You need God.
That’s what this journey is about. It’s a shift. A reset. A return.
We’re rushing, performing, overthinking. We’re surviving more than we’re living. We’re managing our relationship with God instead of being transformed by it.
But God is not looking for a polished version of you. He’s not impressed by your perfect routines. He’s after your presence. He’s after your heart.
If you’ve been feeling that nudge to go on this faith journey—that sense that there must be more, that maybe you’ve drifted a little too far from your center—then this journey is for you. Others have done exactly what you’re about to embark on. Research from Stanford University indicates that individuals with a deep, personal faith often experience enhanced immune function and reduced feelings of loneliness. This is attributed to the perception of God as a close, supportive presence, which neurologically mirrors the experience of conversing with a trusted friend.
Not a destination. A daily decision.
In my book Master Your Morning Routine in 15 Minutes a Day, I talk about how the world tells us to strive for balance. But balance is exhausting. Alignment, though? Alignment is life-giving.
Faith isn’t about managing all the spinning plates. It’s about putting God first—letting Him set the tone, shape your day, and steady your heart.
When your soul is aligned, your spirit can rest. Your body can heal. Your mind can breathe.
This is where the faith journey begins: not with doing more, but with being still. With showing up. With sitting in His presence instead of trying to prove your worth.
This is where it gets practical. Because I know the chatter. I know the excuses. I’ve made them too:
"I don’t know how to meditate."
"I’m too busy."
"I can’t quiet my mind."
But here’s what I’ve learned:
Meditation isn’t about the method. It’s about the meeting. It’s about meeting with God.
When we pause to meditate, to breathe, to align our hearts, something shifts. That inner chatter quiets. The pressure lifts. We stop reacting and start receiving.
This is why I want to take you on a faith journey. Because I know the power of stillness. I know what happens when you trade striving for surrender. I know how radically life changes when you start your day with alignment instead of anxiety.
Growth takes time. That’s why I teach the 66-day model in my work. Not because it’s magic. But because change requires a process.
Faith is the same way. It doesn’t happen in one prayer. It’s a lifestyle. A rhythm. A sacred return. And I want to guide you through it.
I’m not inviting you to my version of success. I’m not handing you another checklist. I’m inviting you into truth. Into peace. Into presence. Into a life that flows from faith, not fear.
This isn’t about adding more to your plate. It’s about removing what doesn’t belong. It’s about clearing the noise so you can hear His voice again.
So if you’re tired of striving…
If you’re done with distractions…
If you’re ready to come home to the heart of God…
Then say yes.
Say yes to stillness.
Say yes to presence.
Say yes to the faith journey.
Not someday. Not when life calms down. Not when you feel worthy.
Say yes now.
I’ll be with you every step of the way.
Because I’ve been where you are—tired, searching, done performing.
Faith isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about saying yes to the unknown with God beside you.
This journey is raw and real, but it’s where healing begins. And you don’t have to walk it alone. Let’s take the next step—together.
Dream, I Dare You isn’t just a book—it’s the beginning of your faith journey back to purpose, boldness, and holy alignment.
If you’ve felt stuck, burned out, or unsure of your next step, this book is your invitation to wake up, rise up, and start living the life God designed for you.
Julia Gentry dares you to dream bigger—not just for yourself, but for your faith, your family, your calling, and the Kingdom.
Inside, you’ll:
The world needs your dream.
Your faith journey starts here.
Click here to experience how to dream differently.
