Beyond Settling: Seeking True Healing in Faith and Life

“Things are better” is not the same as “things are healed.”

I read that statement a few weeks ago and BAM, I realized I had been settling in a lot of areas because well, they were better than they were. From working as the leader of this non-profit for Christian women leaders, and personal relationships to so much more I realized that not only had I been settling, but because I had settled, I was also not looking for or expecting God’s best for my life.

The past few weeks, we’ve been talking and looking at our vision and values which help us move forward in our purpose and God-sized dreams.

But both our vision and values allow us to say “no” to things we shouldn’t and “yes” to the things that move us forward. But when we settle for someone else’s best including our own, instead of God’s best we get STUCK. We start saying things like, “At least it’s better than what it was last (year, week, month).”

Here’s my confession: I’ve always thought of myself as a strong person because I am strong-willed, and D on the disc (direct, decisive, dominant, director). So naturally I thought I was strong.

But more recently, I’ve realized that there are many areas in my life where I’m not strong at all but have allowed fear to creep in ever so slowly to the point where at times I’ve felt paralyzed. And I’m almost embarrassed to say too many to count.

So, when I read the statement: “Things are better” is not the same as “Things are healed,” I froze in the conviction that I felt at the moment.

I realized I had taken my eyes off of my vision and values and allowed fear to tell me, THINGS ARE BETTER – THINGS ARE GOOD ENOUGH and by doing so, not only did I remain in my hurt and fear, but I had also told God He wasn’t enough.

Can you relate?

This blog post ties closely with what we discussed in our previous post, "Embracing Our Purpose: Overcoming Fear and Finding Freedom in Faith". If you haven’t read that already, YOU SHOULD! There, we explored how embracing our God-given purpose can empower us to break free from fear and step into a life of faith and freedom.

Ladies, that’s why going through the process of healing is so important and one that’s never complete.

My goals for the end of my life are two things:

1. I don’t want to leave any purpose in the grave. I want to empty everything I have out.

2. I want to hear, “Well done good and faithful servant.” Not, well, that was good enough!

But to reach those goals, I have to acknowledge and confess my fears, ask for God’s help, and take the steps to move out of the “just better.” We will never be completely healed on this side of eternity, but that fact doesn’t give us permission to settle. I want to continue to grow and bring value just like I’m sure you do, too.

So, ask yourself, what fears do you need to be healed from today so that you don’t settle for just better?

Take a minute and let me know in the comments of this blog post.

XOXO,

Heather Frierson