Gradually Then Suddenly: How to Dream Bigger, Decide Better, and Leave a Lasting Legacy

by Mark Batterson

Overview

True success doesn’t happen overnight. The New York Times bestselling author of Win the Day reveals a life-changing truth about achievement: God is building you up steadily so you’re ready for overnight success.

“How did you go bankrupt?” asked a character in Ernest Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises. The reply? “Two ways . . . gradually then suddenly.”

In this illuminating book, Mark Batterson reveals that every area of life—from personal growth to professional development to spiritual transformation—follows this same pattern. What we perceive as sudden success is the result of little decisions compounding over time.

Gradually Then Suddenly will help you
• cultivate cathedral thinking—adopt a long-term perspective that changes your daily decisions and life trajectory
• leverage the compound effect—discover how courageous decisions and consistent routines domino into life-changing results
• harness the power of persistence—commit yourself to the long game, and the impossible becomes possible
• curate core convictions—discover how to defy peer pressure, popular opinion, and political correctness by defining your deepest convictions

Drawing from compelling biblical examples, fascinating historical stories, and hard-won leadership insights, Batterson demonstrates that God uses long obedience in the same direction to prepare us for sudden moments of major progress.

For anyone feeling stuck in the “gradually” phase, this book is a beacon of hope. If you do the right things day in and day out, God is going to show up and show off His faithfulness—not just for you but for generations to come.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798217152070
Publisher:	PRH Christian Publishing
Publication date:	11/04/2025
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.25(h) x 0.72(d)

About the Author

Mark Batterson is the lead visionary of National Community Church in Washington, D.C. One church with a network of churches, National owns and operates Ebenezers Coffeehouse, the DC Dream Center, the Culturehouse, and the Capital Turnaround. Mark holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Regent University and is the New York Times bestselling author of twenty-five books, including A Million Little Miracles, Win the Day, The Circle Maker, and Chase the Lion. He has also authored the children's books The Best Worst Day Ever and God Speaks in Whispers with his daughter, Summer Batterson Dailey. Mark and his wife, Lora, live on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.

Editorial Reviews

In a world chasing shortcuts and instant success, Gradually Then Suddenly invites us into the slow, sacred work of building a Christ-filled life that lasts. With honesty, depth, and visionary insight, Batterson unpacks what it means to live with long vision, faithful obedience, and generational impact.”—Craig Groeschel, senior pastor of Life.Church and author of The Benefit of Doubt

“Inspiring and encouraging, yet grounding and tangible, Gradually Then Suddenly is a guidebook to making the daily choices that lead to the creation of the fulfilling life with God we all deeply desire.”—Annie F. Downs, bestselling author of That Sounds Fun

“I learn so much whenever I read one of Mark Batterson’s books. They are fun and enlightening, and I get ideas, wisdom, and inspiration from them. The stories range from the intensely personal to the historical, all pointing to self-evident Godly truths that hit home and apply to my life, occupation, and relationships. Gradually Then Suddenly will inspire you to grow. What a great message!”—John Harbaugh, longtime NFL head coach of the Baltimore Ravens

“Leadership is all about playing the long game, which Batterson models in his life and writing. I was impacted by the prequel to this book, Win the Day. And this sequel, Gradually Then Suddenly, will challenge you to dream bigger, pray harder, and think longer.”—John C. Maxwell, New York Times bestselling author, speaker, and coach

“I’ve been challenged and encouraged by Batterson’s books, including this one. Gradually Then Suddenly speaks to my reality as an Olympic athlete. Hurdlers and sprinters spend many years training for races that last mere seconds, but a gold medal is worth the blood, sweat, and tears. This book will inspire you to go after your God-sized dreams!”—Grant Holloway, Olympic track and field gold medalist, three-time world champion, and world record holder

“Thank you, Mark Batterson, for pointing us to disciplined perseverance as we pursue the fulfillment of our vision and dreams and for the sobering reminder that quitting isn’t about present-tense circumstances as much as it is about future-tense possibilities.”—Dr. Crawford W. Loritts, Jr., author, speaker, and founder and president of Beyond Our Generation

“Mark Batterson has blessed us with powerful lessons from the Lord in Gradually Then Suddenly. This book will set your soul and heart on fire to seek and obey the voice of the Lord.”—Kevin Warren, president and CEO of the Chicago Bears

“From well-known giants of the faith to those who are charting a new life from behind bars, Gradually Then Suddenly reminds all of us that it’s never too late to live a life worth telling stories about!”—Heather Rice-Minus, president and CEO of Prison Fellowship

From the Publisher