What if the biggest breakthroughs in your life and marriage don't happen overnight—but gradually, then suddenly? In this episode, we sit down with bestselling author and pastor Mark Batterson to talk about his new book Gradually, Then Suddenly and how God's long-game approach shapes everything from our dreams to our relationships.

Mark unpacks what it means to play the long game in faith, how to take every thought captive to Christ, and why success—whether in ministry or marriage—always grows at the "speed of a seed." We'll also explore how small, intentional choices today can create generational impact tomorrow.

If you've ever felt like growth is too slow or that your prayers are taking too long to be answered, this conversation will remind you that God is always working—gradually, then suddenly.

 

Episode Takeaways:

• Instead of focusing on how long something takes, we're invited to stay faithful to His good, pleasing, and perfect will—even when the outcome isn't immediate.
• Success isn't about avoiding failure—it's about learning to manage it.
• We don't need to see the whole plan to take the first step.

Quotes from Today's Episode:

1. "Whatever it is God's called you to do, it's probably going to take longer than you like and be harder than you hope for."

2. "We overestimate what we can do in a year or two, but we underestimate what God can do in 10 or 20 or 30."

3. "The cure for the fear of failure is not success. It's failure in small enough doses that you build up an immunity to it."

4. Success is usually well-managed failure.

5. It's not about pinpointing dates. It's about being faithful to his good pleasing and perfect will.

6. Whatever it is God is calling you to do is probably going to take longer than you like and be harder than you hoped for.

7. Good ideas are good but God ideas change the course of history.

8. By faith you take the first step, even if God hasn't revealed the second step.

9. You aren't going to be married very long without some curveballs. 

 

Couples Conversation Starters: 

1. How can we support each other in staying patient and faithful when God's timing feels slower than we hoped in our marriage or personal goals?
2. What are some "small failures" we've experienced together, and how can we use them to grow stronger as a couple rather than letting them discourage us?
3. Is there a step of faith—big or small—that God might be calling us to take together, even if we don't see the full path yet?

Mentioned in this Episode:

• Learn more about Mark Batterson and connect with him on socials.

• Mark Batterson's new book is out! Purchase it HERE!

• We gathered all 685 answers, organized them into the top 10 themes, and added 1 practical step for each theme so husbands can better meet their wife's needs. 💡Unlock 10 Things Wives Want! ]

• Want an opportunity to dig into God's Word with your spouse? Find Awesome Marriage on YouVersion. Want to shift your perspective about your spouse and your marriage, check out Mind Craft: Take Your Thoughts Captive to Transform Your Marriage.

• If you haven't browsed our site, you've GOT to check out the marriage resources we have over at AwesomeMarriage.com, and browse our online courses at AwesomeMarriageUniversity.com ! 

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