The spiritual weight behind chasing success — and how to reclaim rest

You were trained to pursue success with the same intensity you once used to survive the storms of your youth. That hustle built stamina. But now, the climb feels relentless — and every “next level” sounds more like pressure than purpose.

And it’s no wonder.

Joy slips through your fingers — not because you’re broken, but because urgency has become your native language. You were never taught how to receive what wasn’t earned. Rest feels rebellious. Silence feels shameful. Your mind keeps running because it never learned how to stand still and feel safe.

You think it’s a strategy problem. But it’s deeper than that. It’s a soul whisper.

That voice behind your ambition? Is it Holy Spirit-led? Or is it trauma-tethered?

Sometimes, the dream isn’t really a dream. It’s a disguise. A mask stitched together by guilt, fear, and the belief that productivity earns love.

You don’t actually long for the spotlight, the six-figure milestone, or the curated brand. What you really want is peace in your nervous system. You want to feel worthy even if it all collapses. You want to know love that doesn’t require performance. You want the freedom to rest — without calling it laziness.

And that freedom doesn’t come from achieving more. It comes from unhooking the dream from the pain that created it.

When ambition is weaponized to avoid your wounds, it’s not purpose — it’s protection.

So here’s the invitation: Ask yourself with honesty and grace… Are you chasing your divine calling? Or are you running from the version of you who never felt safe, seen, or celebrated?

There’s a difference. Your body knows it. And your spirit is whispering it’s time to pause, realign, and heal.

If this reflection stirred something in you, let’s talk. Storyboard Coaching was born to help leaders like you unlock ambition from past pain and step fully into aligned purpose. Schedule a free discovery call today.

Thanks for stopping by the fire,

Coach Dennis

Author’s Note: Some of the thoughts and phrases in this reflection have been shaped by a blend of voices from trauma-informed and coaching spaces. I’ve adapted them with love and intention, weaving in my own ministry perspective to serve this moment of clarity and transformation.