Zena Jean Christian Coaching

09/10/2026

Sometimes change takes years to come alive. Sometimes it takes days. But as I’ve spoken about before, the first step is awareness.

We recognise that something feels off. The way we’re living, working or relating can’t continue as it is. We may not know what needs to happen next, but we know something needs to change.

I’ve seen this with many clients. A job is affecting their health. Financial pressures need an honest review because continuing long term feels unsustainable. A relationship needs boundaries, or a conversation needs to happen—but courage takes time to build.

The process has already started. Awareness is a beginning.

We can bring that awareness to prayer. As we sit with it, our desires may grow stronger. We daydream about what could be different and long for a new chapter. And sometimes, that longing makes us want to rush.

Yet trusting God means allowing Him to shape both our steps and our desires. Proverbs 3:5–6 encourages us to trust Him rather than rely entirely on our own understanding, acknowledging Him as He directs our path.

Our thoughts deserve attention, but they don’t always need to lead. We can bring them before God, consider what Scripture teaches, and seek wise counsel.

Talking through what we’re noticing matters too. It brings thoughts into the open, where we can examine them, untangle them and begin to see a possible next step.

That step doesn’t have to be perfect. Trust the process as you step forward.

A conversation. A budget review. A boundary. An enquiry about another opportunity. Small, imperfect steps make progress. Waiting until every detail is meticulously planned can leave us standing still.

And as we move, the outcome may change.
That’s okay!

You may stay in your job another year while preparing to leave. You may take a different financial direction. An unexpected opportunity may open a door you hadn’t considered.

A changed goal isn’t automatically a failed goal. Set clear, realistic goals, but leave room to review them. Hold your plans with an open hand and keep your heart ready for what God may reveal along the way.

Life is a journey, not a race. There are seasons when resting and preparing are necessary. But repeatedly circling the same thoughts can become like a rocking horse—plenty of movement, without getting anywhere.

You don’t need to see the whole path to take the next faithful step.

Pause and reflect:

What need for change have you become aware of—and what small step could you take with God this week?

06/10/2026

Some people welcome change. Others would rather hold tightly to what they know—even when it no longer serves them.

Familiarity can feel like safety. This is often why we stay too long in roles, jobs or environments—even when we recognise it may be time to move on.

It can also explain why we return to unhealthy relationships or feel drawn to familiar personalities. Deep down, something says, “I know this.” We mistake familiarity for comfort, even when it’s far from what we need.

As I shared in my previous post, the wobbly chair is that uncomfortable moment between where we were and where we’re going. We’ve begun to move, but we haven’t found our footing yet. It’s often the exact moment we jump backwards, reaching for the familiar instead of taking another step forwards.

The Israelites experienced this too. When the wilderness felt uncertain, they talked about returning to Egypt—even though Egypt had held them in slavery (Numbers 14:1–4). Their fear made the familiar past look more inviting than the unknown ahead.

We can understand that feeling. But we don’t have to let it choose our direction.

We need to look through the windscreen, rather than keep our eyes fixed on the rear-view mirror.

There’s a reason that the rear view mirror is small. It helps us see what’s behind us, but it was never meant to guide our whole journey. Our past can offer wisdom: what we’ve learned, what we need to recognise, and what we no longer need to carry.

Moving forwards may feel wobbly. That doesn’t automatically mean it’s wrong. With God’s help, we can pause, discern, and choose our next step with wisdom.

Something can feel familiar and still be unhealthy.

Something new can feel uncomfortable and still be good.

Pause and reflect:

* Where might I be mistaking familiarity for safety, even though it no longer meets my needs?
* If I looked through the windscreen with faith and wisdom, what small step forwards could I take today?

18/09/2026

This week I’ve been writing a two-hour session called When Life Takes Your Breath Away.

I can honestly say I’ve experienced some of those moments—and I imagine most of us have.

When life changes, the chair beneath us can suddenly begin to wobble.

The things that once felt secure no longer feel certain. We want solid ground again, but we may not yet be able to see what lies ahead.

In that moment, we have three choices.

We can move backwards to the comfortable chair.
It feels familiar and safe because we already know how to sit there.

But returning to comfort simply because change feels overwhelming will keep us from growing.

The old chair may feel safe—but it can no longer take us where we are called to go.

We can stay in the wobbly chair.

We can remain caught between where we were and where we are going—replaying the uncertainty, resisting the change and waiting for the wobble to disappear.

But the wobble chair was never designed to become our permanent home.

If we remain there too long, it begins to hurt.

Or we can move forward into the next stable chair.

Moving forward requires faith. We may not feel completely ready, but we choose to trust God, engage the strength we have developed and take the next step.

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!”
—Isaiah 43:18–19

Every wobbly chair strengthens our core.

It teaches us what we are capable of. It reveals where we have been placing our security. It draws us back to our true and unchanging identity in Christ.

Then, when the next chair begins to wobble—as chairs sometimes do—we recognise the feeling.

We know we have moved through uncertainty before.

We know the wobble didn’t destroy us.

We know where to fix our eyes.

And we know how to move forward again.

The circumstances may change, but our landing pad remains the same:

I am a child of God.
I am seen.
I am known.
I am loved.
And I am becoming more like Jesus.

So, if your chair is wobbling today, ask yourself:

Am I being tempted to retreat to what is comfortable, the known?

Have I made the uncomfortable place my permanent home?

Or am I ready to trust God and move forward?

The wobble isn’t always a sign that something is wrong either.

Sometimes, it is confirmation that you are no longer staying still.

Let the wobble strengthen you—but don’t build your home there. Fix your eyes on Jesus and move forward into what comes next.

13/09/2026

Does Monday arrive with a sense of excitement and possibility?

Or does it arrive with dread—a heavy reminder that another week of responsibilities, deadlines and expectations is about to begin?

Productivity is something our culture thrives on. One of the first questions we ask when meeting someone is, “What do you do for work?”

It’s an innocent, curious question, but I wonder what would happen if we sometimes asked:

“What brings you joy?”

“What do you love doing?”

“How do you rest?”

There is nothing wrong with being productive. Work can bring purpose, fulfilment and the wonderful feeling that we are contributing something meaningful.

But sometimes, without even noticing, productivity can slip into striving. We become so focused on getting through the week that we forget to pause and consider how we are actually living it.

Mondays are my day off.

I potter around, relax and ponder the week ahead. I don’t place too many demands on the day, and I always finish it with a long walk with a very special friend.

It may not look particularly productive—but perhaps that’s the point.

That slower rhythm gives me space to reflect, breathe and ask myself what really matters in the week ahead.

Because busyness can sometimes keep us from noticing what has been neglected—our relationships, our joy, our wellbeing or, most importantly, our time with God.

Perhaps the way Monday arrives is trying to tell us something.

Dread doesn’t necessarily mean we need to quit our jobs or dramatically change our lives. But it may be an invitation to pause and gently ask:

What is making life feel so heavy?

Am I working from a place of purpose, or simply trying to keep up?

Where have I lost my rhythm of rest?

And what would not losing another week look like for me?

God calls us to work, but He also invites us to rest. Jesus said:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
—Matthew 11:28

Maybe the answer isn’t to become less productive. Perhaps it is to redefine productivity.

What if a meaningful conversation is productive.

What if taking a walk, enjoying a hobby or sitting quietly with God is productive.

Rest isn’t something we earn after finishing everything, it’s an intentional part of the rhythm God designed for us.

Striving tells us that everything depends on us.

Abiding reminds us that we don’t walk into a new week alone.

So, how does Monday land for you?

With dread, excitement—or perhaps a little of both?

Whatever your answer, maybe today isn’t about judging it. Maybe it’s simply an opportunity to notice it, bring it before God and choose how you would like to step into the week ahead.

Not striving.

Not merely surviving.

But abiding—and making space for grace, purpose and joy.

Have a great week.

10/09/2026

Today, we remember September 11 and the horrific events of that day.

I imagine most people over 40—and perhaps many younger—can clearly remember where they were when the devastating news broke.

I was living in Essex, England, and sitting in the hairdressers. Our house was packed up, ready for us to move the next day and I was pregnant with my youngest son. See—I remember every detail.

The innocent people who lost their lives that day were simply going about their ordinary routines. Heading to work. Catching a flight. Beginning another day.

As I reflect, I wonder how many were thinking:

When I earn enough money, I’ll quit this job.

When I lose the weight, I’ll take the holiday of my dreams.

When the children are older, I’ll finally do something for myself.

Perhaps some were waiting for a lightning bolt from heaven to tell them it was time to change direction.

Proverbs 16:9 says:

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” — NIV

Proverbs 16 is a chapter worth dwelling in—wisdom at its finest. I especially love how it ends:

“We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall.” — Proverbs 16:33 NLT

Now, I’m not suggesting that you quit your job tomorrow or book a holiday you cannot afford!

But what would one small step towards the desire in your heart look like?

What if God isn’t asking you to know the whole outcome? What if He is simply asking you to prayerfully make a plan, take the next step and trust Him with where it leads?

What if God is calling you to throw the dice?

None of us, like those of September 11, know what is around the next corner. Yet there is such peace in knowing that we can stop striving. We can plan wisely, step forward courageously and trust God with the outcome. If it doesn’t go to ‘our’ plan, trust He’s ways are better, it releases the burden or perceived failure.

Sometimes we need someone beside us as we step forward — a person who will ask the right questions, encourage us, keep us moving and cheer us on.

That is what coaching can offer.

So, what small step could you take today?

09/09/2026

Please excuse me,” my elderly client said. “I’m having an emotional day.”

“That’s okay,” I reassured her. “It’s okay to have a sad day. These feelings will pass. Would you like to talk about it?”

As tears trickled down her 89-year-old face, I reached for her hand.

“My child said something that hurt me,” she whispered.

We sat together and talked for a while.

Her sadness mattered. Her tears mattered. But as I held her hand, I realised there was something more in that moment—something I felt deeply led to share.

So often, we live waiting for the next season.

We wait for the children to grow older, become independent or understand us better. We wait for the next job, the next promotion, the next relationship or the next opportunity. We tell ourselves that life will feel happier, easier or more joyful once everything finally falls into place.

But Jesus said:

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
— John 10:10

He didn’t add, “But only when all your ducks are in a row.”

He didn’t say, “Once the children leave home,” or “When everyone treats you well,” or “When this difficult season finally ends.”

He meant now.

This season.
This day.
This moment.

I didn’t have all the answers for my friend that day, but I knew the One to whom I could gently redirect her—the solid foundation beneath us when everything else feels uncertain.

The One who will never betray us, abandon us or wound us with careless words.

And I want to be real: navigating hurt isn’t always as simple as saying, “Oh well,” and opening our Bible.

Sometimes healing looks like sitting with a friend who will listen. Sometimes it means allowing ourselves to cry, speaking truth into a painful situation, having an honest conversation, saying sorry or choosing forgiveness.

I really realised that day that our age, wisdom and experience don’t make our troubles or sadness disappear . Our children may unintentionally hurt us whether we are 30 or 90. People may disappoint us in every season of life.

But we still have a choice.

Who am I when the wind begins to blow?

Who am I when I feel hurt, sad or emotional?

Where is my foundation when life doesn’t happen the way I hoped it would?

If this resonates with you today, please know that you are normal. You are not failing because you’re having an emotional day. And you are not alone in the storm.

There is peace to be found, even here.

There is still joy waiting to be discovered—not merely in some future season, but today.

Because right here, in this moment, we can turn to Jesus and find a love unlike anything we have ever known before.

Don’t wait for the next season to live.

He is with you in this one.

04/09/2026

30/08/2026

I heard a simple thought in the sermon that really stayed with me today.

The word encouragement was broken down as:

EN — COURAGE.

The prefix en- means ‘to put into’ or ‘to cause to have’ — so to EN-COURAGE someone is, quite literally, to put courage into them; to strengthen their heart for what lies ahead.

To encourage someone is to help give them the courage to move forward.

It immediately made me think about how often we see this throughout Scripture. God continually calls His people forward — but He also strengthens them for the step He is asking them to take.

When Joshua was facing something far bigger than himself, God said:

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9

And throughout the New Testament, we are told to do the same for one another:

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Maybe biblical encouragement is so much more than saying something nice.

It’s reminding them of who they are in Christ when fear has become louder than truth.

It’s standing beside someone when they’re facing the unknown and helping them find the courage to take the next step God has placed before them, or just take a step.

And as I listened today, I realised why this resonated so deeply with me.

It’s what I love about coaching.

Having people’s backs.

Not taking their steps for them.
Not telling them how to live their lives.

But seeing them. Listening to them. Reminding them of what’s already within them through Christ and helping them find the courage to step forward.

Sometimes we all need someone standing in our corner saying:

“I see you. God is with you. Keep going.”

What a beautiful thing it is that God allows us to be that for one another.

Perhaps that’s one of the greatest gifts we can give someone today:

EN-COURAGE them.

Who do you know needs a little courage back into their heart. ❤️