Have you ever experienced a moment in your life where you felt like you had finally gotten to that next destination or accomplishment only to be disappointed by what met you there?
I mean you worked hard for that thing. Perhaps for years… all the while keeping that thing as the focal point of your drive while in route. But when you got it, and it failed to meet your expectations… you were devastated.
Or maybe you set a goal and always seemed to come close but never close enough.
Typically when you come face to face with disappointment like this, most people would encourage you to “Remember your why.” and keep on pushing. And in some instances, that cliche is just the motivational kick in the butt you need to push beyond the moment and continue to thrive. But can I suggest to you that perhaps you need not remember your why, but to check your why?
Why do you want it?
No really… why is it important to you?
Did you set the goal to satisfy an insecurity?
Are you aiming to prove something to someone?
Has that thing become an idol in your life?
If the answer is yes, let me let you in on a not so little secret. Goals set out of insecurity will never truly satisfy you. You will continually find yourself striving for more only to realize at each accomplishment you are still unsatisfied. Those people you’re trying to prove something to likely do not care. More times that not, they are resting well at night and have moved on from the moment they mishandled you. As for idolatry…well, God is pretty clear about how He feels when we put things and people before Him. Accomplishments are awesome. Reaching goals is a great. By no means am I suggesting that you shouldn’t goal set and work to meet them. What I am saying is check your why.
Check your motives. The Bible tells us that in everything we do, we should do so with our whole heart as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23). In Him, there is healing for our insecurities. In Him, there is forgiveness for those who mishandled you. In Him, there is an exceedingly and abundantly type of life that we can have. The things God wants for us go far beyond our ability to comprehend. If we are in Him, it’s ours. The catch? Surrender and Heal.
Surrender your will, wants, and desires to God. Ask Him to forgive you if you have put that thing in the place He desires to reside. Be honest with Him about where you are and ask for help getting to the place where you want Him more than ‘it’. And then heal. Uncover those tender places and allow God to heal them completely. When the healing inevitably becomes uncomfortable, then remember your why. Remember that you desire the exceedingly and abundantly reserved for the healed and whole. It is impossible to do anything with your whole heart if a portion of it is still wounded. Heal for you. Heal because you will never experience the fullness of that thing you desire without doing so.
So I’ll ask you again… why do you want it? Take some time to evaluate your goals and desires and when you’re ready… surrender and heal!
