As I sit on my couch, knee-deep in my thoughts, I am reflecting on all that October has been for my loved ones and me.

A lot.
This month has been a lot.

Yet even in its trying moments, this month has offered many opportunities to sit back and marvel at the wondrous works of the Lord. From physical safety from storms and accidents to financial providence and guidance, God has been better than good to me.

If I’m being honest with myself and with you, I would tell you how difficult this healing journey has been. Right?! I prayed for it for so long; however, when it finally came, the full weight of my request consumed me in a way that I was not fully expecting. In general, healing takes way more energy than staying broken. More honesty? It takes more money and time to heal, too. In brokenness, yes, there is pain, but there is also a level of dark comfort that keeps us in that pattern’s hold for so long. The comfort lulls us into submission, and we become immune and desensitized to the dangers of that brokenness. But the light of healing brings disruption to the pain and darkness that we had grown accustomed to. Healing challenges our belief systems and forces us to take accountability for all that has occurred in our lives. In healing, we get to develop healthy patterns and actions; we get to be the best version of ourselves.

And that is painful.

However, I would rather endure the pain of healing than the comfort of brokenness any day of the week. The brokenness yields no fruit and offers no gains/growth in my life. But healing? Healing not only offers peace and blessings to you, but it is a gift that extends to those around you and generations after you.

Today, I’m embracing healing. I have four mental health professionals that I meet with to help me move from trauma to thriving. Each one serves their own unique purpose, but their united goal is to help me prevent the pains of my past from consuming my present and destroying my future. Yes, my life has been a lot, but addressing the hurt allows me to proclaim God’s victory over it all.

Beloved, on this last Monday of October, I have a request of you- please choose healing. When all hell seems to be breaking loose, and you are confronted with option A or B, go with the one that is inextricably linked to the betterment of your life. For when you choose that option, you will be amazed at how free you will feel.

Healing can hurt, yes, but the pain eventually transitions into peace.

Be blessed.