The Seatbelt Extender and the Whisper of God

Club31Women is honored to showcase the winning pieces from the COMPEL Writers Training competition, featuring heartfelt devotionals written by emerging Christian writers. COMPEL equips women with the tools and confidence to write words that matter—and these devotionals are a beautiful reflection of that mission.

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will
hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’”
Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)

Stuck in the Seat

The flight attendant smiled and discreetly handed me the seatbelt extender as I shifted in the narrow airplane seat. I thanked her quietly, but inside, I felt the familiar wave of shame. I looked down, my body uncomfortable and my heart heavier than my carry-on.

I’ve known for a while that I needed to take better care of my health. The way I move through the world has changed—how tired I get, how I avoid mirrors, how I feel in spaces not built for bigger bodies. But what I didn’t know was how to change. I wasn’t lazy—I was overwhelmed. I’d start strong for a few days and then slide right back into old patterns, discouraged and stuck.

That flight wasn’t a breaking point. But it was a moment of truth. Something in me whispered: You can’t keep pretending this doesn’t matter.

When the Word Finds You

Later that evening, still feeling unsettled, I opened my Bible. I didn’t have a clear plan—I just knew I wanted to study. I wanted to hear from God.

And somehow, I ended up in Isaiah.

As I read through Isaiah 30, I realized I wasn’t alone in my wandering. The people of Israel had turned away from God and tried to fix things on their own. But God didn’t reject them—He waited for them. He reminded them that their strength was in quietness and trust (v. 15), and that when they cried for help, He would be gracious and respond (v. 18–19). He promised not only guidance, but a rich and plentiful future (v. 23).

Then I read:

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’”

It stopped me.

That verse wasn’t about weight or wellness—but it was about direction. About movement. And most of all, about God’s voice, still guiding, even when I’d been circling the same mountain for years.

The Invitation to Walk

That moment in the Word didn’t give me a five-step plan. It didn’t change my body overnight. But it reminded me that God hadn’t given up on me. He wasn’t disappointed—He was present.

I didn’t need to figure out everything at once. I just needed to walk with Him.

And walking looked different than I expected. Sometimes it meant getting off the couch and going outside for ten minutes. Sometimes it meant praying while I prepped dinner. Sometimes it meant forgiving myself and trying again—without shame leading the way.

The journey hasn’t been linear. But it’s no longer led by fear. I’m learning that every step I take toward wholeness—spiritually, emotionally, physically—is a step He delights in.

He’s not behind me, shaking His head. He’s behind me, whispering: “This is the way, daughter. Walk in it.”

In His Word

Isaiah 30:15 (NIV) – “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.”

Isaiah 30:18-19 (NIV) – “Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you… How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you.”

Isaiah 30:23 (NIV) – “He will also send you rain for the seed you sow… and the food that comes from the land will be rich and plentiful.”

These verses frame the journey so well. God invites us to return to Him—not in striving, but in rest and trust (v. 15). He longs to respond (v. 18), and when we cry out, He answers with compassion (v. 19). And when we begin to walk in obedience, even in small ways, He brings fruitfulness (v. 23). He is not asking for perfection—just permission to lead.

In Your Life

Have you been trying to fix things on your own, only to end up stuck and weary?

What would it look like to stop striving and instead return to God in quietness and trust?

Is there a place in your life where you need to cry out for help—and believe He’ll answer with grace?

Maybe today isn’t about doing more—but about surrendering and saying, “Lord, I want to walk with You. Show me the way.”

Let’s Connect

Angie Porow is a writer, strategist, and grace-whisperer for women who love God but feel like they’re running on empty. By day, she serves as Senior Director of Digital Marketing Strategy at a content marketing agency. By heart, she is the founder of Bettermynt—a faith-fueled space offering soulful encouragement and real-life resets for high-capacity women navigating burnout, faith fatigue, and the desire to begin again. She lives in South Carolina with her husband, teenage son, and two wild-hearted dogs. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her meal prepping, mentoring, or walking toward her next breakthrough.