So often, when we talk about healing or growth, we frame it as a way to regain control of our lives. We want to stop hurting. We want to protect ourselves from being hurt again. We want to figure life out on our own terms.
But here’s the hard truth I’ve learned—and maybe you’ve learned it too: The Christian journey is not about becoming more self-sufficient. It’s not about putting up better walls. It’s not about mastering life so I never need anyone—even God.
The Christian journey is about becoming like Jesus. This is why we heal. This is why we surrender. This is why we grow.
As followers of Christ, our life is meant to be one of continual learning, growth, and transformation. Every step we take—every painful lesson, every act of surrender—is shaping us into someone new. Not just someone stronger. But someone holier. Someone kinder. Someone more loving. Someone who looks like Jesus. That’s the goal.
What Does This Look Like In Our Daily Life?
Jesus tells us clearly in Matthew 16:24, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” This is the heart of Christian living.
Deny Yourself: Lay down selfish desires, ambitions, and comforts. Seek His will above your own.
Take Up Your Cross: Embrace sacrifice. Face the hard things. Be willing to suffer for love of God and neighbor.
Follow Me: Let Jesus lead. Surrender control. Trust His plan.
Sounds like a tall order, doesn’t it? And yet, this is not a journey of grand gestures or impossible feats. It happens in the small things. St. Therese of Lisieux, the Little Flower, understood this perfectly when she said, “Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love.”
Becoming like Jesus happens in the little yeses, the unnoticed sacrifices, the quiet prayers, the patient responses, and the loving acts done when no one sees. This is how hearts are transformed. This is how healing happens. This is how we become holy. Not by taking control but by giving it up. Not by building walls but by becoming vulnerable in love. Not by becoming independent but by becoming utterly dependent on Christ.
Final Encouragement
Wherever you are on your journey, whatever healing you seek, remember this: The goal is not to become better at life without God. The goal is to become like Jesus—with God, in God, through God. Let Him do His transforming work in you— moment by moment, little by little—until your heart beats like His.
To connect with Tina Charest, visit her directory profile at
https://www.catholiclifecoaches.com/tina-charest
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