S2:E3 What No One Tells You About Healing
Today's episode of the Build Your Brave podcast dives deep into the messy reality of healing. Megan vulnerably shares her ongoing journey through physical recovery after spinal fusion surgery, drawing powerful parallels to emotional & spiritual healing. Whether you've been avoiding your own healing journey or feeling stuck in the middle of one, this episode offers both validation & practical wisdom for moving forward. Healing isn't easy, but you were designed for wholeness—and God promises to meet you in the process.
🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS
Healing requires both "hard work" & "heart work" - expect it to be challenging but worth it
Unaddressed wounds affect everything - from relationships to daily functioning
Your healing journey gets messier before it gets better - similar to cleaning out a closet
Clarify your "why" - let your future healed self call you onward
"I am not defeated by what I face" - God draws near to the brokenhearted
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Do you feel like something in your life is calling out for healing—physically, emotionally, spiritually, or relationally? I believe you're here for a reason. I have a message burning in my heart for you today. My hope is that you’ll take just a few minutes to breathe, quiet the noise, and lean in.
Whether life feels overwhelming or you’re just going through the motions, let’s pause together. Open your heart. Say, “Okay, God, I want what You have for me today.” Because what follows could be the beginning of a life-changing journey.
Welcome to Your Healing Era
If you’ve followed me recently, you know I’ve been in what I lovingly call my healing era. And let’s be real—it’s not all light and love. It’s hard. It’s messy. But it’s also powerful.
Healing isn’t just about recovering from a physical injury. It’s about uncovering and healing old emotional wounds, broken relationships, limiting beliefs, and deep-rooted fears. Whether you’re dealing with back pain like I have been, or heartbreak, trauma, or anxiety—healing requires both hard work and heart work.
Are You Avoiding What Needs Healing?
So many of us stay busy to avoid the pain. We keep ourselves distracted rather than diving into what needs our attention. We move on with metaphorical torn rotator cuffs, learning to function at half capacity, believing we’re okay. But deep down, others notice—we’re guarding ourselves.
It shows up in our relationships, our communication, our trust issues. And we carry it all silently.
Here’s the truth: emotional wounds, just like physical ones, need intentional care. And they will affect every part of your life if left unhealed.
When Surgery Fails: A Story of Choosing to Hope Again
After my L5-S1 spinal fusion surgery in late 2023, I hit my one-year mark without any pain relief. They call it failed back surgery. That label hit hard. The disappointment, the time, the money, the energy—it was defeating.
But I had to make a choice: stay stuck in discouragement, or step into a new path.
So I returned to physical therapy. I cried at that first session. I was honest: “This is hard. It’s hard to hope again.” But my physical therapist didn’t offer a pep talk—he offered the truth.
“This is going to be hard. But you can do hard things.”
That line has stuck with me. Because healing—real healing—isn't easy. But it's worth it.
The Truth About Healing: It Gets Messy Before It Gets Better
Let’s get real. Healing often gets messier before it gets better. Like cleaning out your closet—sometimes the mess spreads before things finally get sorted. And in healing, that emotional clutter has to surface before it can be released.
Whether it’s trauma, grief, unforgiveness, or pain—it has to come to the light.
And you don’t have to walk through that alone. For me, therapy has been a powerful part of the journey. And so has faith.
Healing Through Faith: God's Promises in the Process
Psalm 34:17–19 says:
“Even when bad things happen to the good and godly ones, the Lord will save them and not let them be defeated by what they face.”
Yes, even when it’s hard. When you feel crushed. When you feel forgotten. God is close. And He promises you will not be defeated if you lean into Him.
Say it with me:
“I am not defeated by what I face.”Write it on your mirror. Put it on a Post-It. Speak it daily. Let that truth lead you through.
Surround Yourself With People Who Call You Higher
Healing isn’t a solo journey. My PT told me:
“It’s going to be a team effort.”Who’s on your team? Are you surrounded by people who hold you accountable to your healing and growth? You need a circle that challenges you, uplifts you, and reminds you of your why.
Know Your Why and Let It Lead You
Your why is what will keep you going. For me? I want to be the kind of grandmother who can run, chase, laugh, and adventure with her grandkids. I want to be active, present, and joyful. That’s my vision.
What’s yours?
When healing gets hard (and it will), your vision must be stronger than your excuses.
Celebrate the Small Wins
Progress doesn’t always look dramatic. It’s lifting heavier, walking farther, showing up on hard days. It’s doing the "boring" daily work when no one’s watching. Don’t minimize that effort—celebrate it.
Be your biggest cheerleader. High five yourself if you need to!
Silence the Comparison and Own Your Journey
You might not be where others are. And that’s okay. This is your lane. Your healing. Your progress.
So take your pride, insecurity, and ego—and lovingly tell them to take a back seat. They don’t get to dictate your healing path.
Gentle Discipline and Daily Grace
Some days, you’ll need grit. Others, you’ll need grace. And both are valid.
If all you can give is 30 minutes instead of 60, give it. If today you need to rest and start again tomorrow, do it. But don’t give up.
God sees you. And you can see you too. Remind yourself: “You’re doing a great job. Keep going. It will be worth it.”
God’s Promise: “If You Will, Then I Will”
James 4:8 reminds us:
“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”
He says:
If you seek, you will find.
If you knock, the door will open.
If you ask, it will be given.
God is faithful to heal, provide, and guide. But it starts with your willingness.
Final Encouragement & A Prayer for You
Let me pray over you:
Father, thank You for every person reading this today. You know their pain, their needs, and their desires. I ask that You would bring peace, direction, and strength as they walk this healing journey. Remind them they are not alone. That You see them. That You are with them. That You are faithful. Give them the next step they need to take to become whole and free. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If something in this message spoke to you, or someone came to mind as you read, please share it. Tag me. Let me know your story. Because we’re not meant to do this alone. Let’s keep building brave—together.