Disruption Follows Intention: Embracing the Pain of Progress
- Chauncy Horton
- Jun 3
- 4 min read
There’s a moment in every man’s life where he draws a line in the sand. A decision is made. The vision is clear. The path forward reveals itself—whether it’s writing the book, launching the business, pursuing the relationship, applying for the position, or committing to a fitness journey. You finally stop talking about it and decide to do it.
And then, almost immediately, the resistance shows up.
It’s as if the moment your heart aligns and your mind commits, life turns up the heat. Disruptions emerge that weren’t there before. Things that were calm begin to stir. Delays multiply. Deadlines tighten. Doubt creeps in. And you begin to wonder: Did I make the wrong decision?
No, brother—you didn’t. You made the right one.
But what you’re experiencing is the spiritual and practical law of resistance:
Disruption follows intention.
The Pattern of Progress
This principle isn’t just theoretical for me—it’s personal. For months, I’ve been committed to growing my voice as a speaker and thought leader. I know that what I’ve experienced—the wins, the wounds, the wisdom—has the potential to help others in business and in life. And every time I set my heart to share it, to carve out time, to prioritize the message… chaos follows.
Suddenly, the construction company ramps up. Deadlines get tighter. Demands get heavier. Projects stretch my limits. And my focus, rightly so, shifts to keep the wheels moving in my primary business.
But here’s what I’ve learned: that disruption doesn’t mean I’m off track. It means I’m on it.
Like lifting weights, pain is part of the process. Want to build muscle? Then welcome the soreness. Want to do something meaningful? Then expect some friction.
This isn’t a glitch in the system. It is the system.
The Pain of Progress
We love the idea of transformation. But the process? That’s another story.
Just like a bodybuilder experiences micro-tears in the muscle before strength is built, we experience resistance, pressure, and testing in our pursuit of purpose. It’s not personal—it’s principle.
Whether it’s mental, emotional, spiritual, or circumstantial, disruption always shows up to ask:
"Do you really want this?"
We often mistake opposition for misdirection. But often, it’s confirmation. The enemy doesn't attack what isn't a threat. Resistance is a backhanded form of validation.
So don’t retreat. Recognize it for what it is—a proving ground.
A Spiritual Principle in Motion
This is one of the spiritual laws I’ve come to embrace: God gives vision, and then comes the proving.
He gives Joseph a dream—and then allows betrayal, slavery, prison.
He gives Israel a promise land—and then permits the wilderness.
He sends Jesus into ministry—and then leads Him into the desert.
Why? Because vision always precedes testing. And testing isn’t punishment—it’s preparation.
The enemy doesn’t get the final word. But he is allowed to try your resolve. He brings problems to see if you’ll fold under pressure or move forward with conviction. Not because
God wants you to suffer—but because He wants you to own your promise.
You don’t get authority without adversity. You don’t gain strength without strain. You don’t fulfill the call without facing the challenge.
Don’t Take It Personally
This is where many men fall off track. The idea is clear. The heart is willing. The first step is taken.
Then the blow hits—and they think it’s personal.
They assume the disruption is a sign they’re not good enough, not strong enough, not worthy. But the disruption isn’t personal. It’s universal. It happens to everyone who steps into growth, calling, or transformation.
It’s how the world works. It’s how spiritual laws function. It’s the testing of your foundation before the structure rises.
When you understand this, anxiety drops. Doubt shrinks. You stop wondering, "Why me?" and start saying, "This is part of it."
Disruption Is Feedback
Disruption is not your enemy. It’s your feedback system.
It reveals where your systems are fragile. It exposes your limits. It shows you where you need support, focus, structure, or rest.
It’s painful, yes—but also purposeful.
Just like a storm tests the strength of your roof, disruption tests the depth of your roots.
So when your new commitment is met with new chaos, don’t run. Lean in. Assess. Adapt. Reaffirm your decision. And move forward anyway.
How to Prepare for the Disruption
If disruption always follows intention, then wise men prepare for it.
Here’s how:
Expect It
Don’t be surprised by opposition. Welcome it as confirmation that you’re on the right path.
Anchor Your Why
When things get hard—and they will—you need to be clear on why you started. What’s the deeper reason? The long-term goal? Keep it visible.
Create Margin
Disruption takes energy. Build space into your life to absorb the blows. Financially. Emotionally. Spiritually. Logistically.
Strengthen Your Systems
Vision without structure is vulnerable. Plan. Prepare. Get your house in order so it can withstand the storm.
Lean on Truth
Speak spiritual laws over your journey. Remind yourself that this is part of the process, not a punishment.
From Disruption to Destiny
If you keep waiting for the perfect time—where no resistance shows up, where the skies are always clear—you’ll never move.
Because the storm is not a sign to quit. It’s a cue to rise.
If you’re building a business that honors your gifts and serves others—expect disruption. If you’re writing the book that’s been on your heart for years—expect resistance. If you’re becoming the man your family needs—expect friction.
Not because you’re off course, but because you’re on it.
The pain of progress is real. But it’s also worth it.
So don’t back down.
Don’t shrink.
Don’t assume your vision was a mistake just because disruption showed up at the door.
This is the proving ground. This is the gym where faith gets stronger. This is the test that tells the story.
You are not alone. You are not behind. You are not broken.
You’re becoming.
And disruption is just the resistance that proves you’re pushing in the right direction.
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