S1:E21 Finish the Year Strong

As we approach the end of the year, many of us are contemplating how we can finish strong. We reevaluate goals, find ways to hit those targets, and think ahead to next year. I want to challenge you to finish the year strong in the LORD. Make that your priority over finishing strong in business, personal health, finances, etc.

Joining me to talk through how we can finish the year strong is a dear friend and mentor of mine, Cathy Greer. She is not only a dear friend and mentor, but also a missionary and author alongside her husband, Stuart.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• What does finishing strong look like when you consider finishing strong in the Lord? It should look like continued surrender.

• Forgiveness is something we are called to do, it's an act of obedience to God. Remember that the person you may be called to forgive is yourself.

• Bitterness is an open door to the enemy. Disappointments are potholes, not destinations. Feelings are indicators, not dictators.

• Don't wait until the end of the year to start evaluating what it takes to end the year strong. Start today!

• Rejection is a part of the Christian life & if people reject you, it isn't a reflection on you. Keep that in mind as you approach the holidays and let go of expectations.

• Transcript

  Megan Valentine:
  Alright friends, I’m so happy to be back here with you today. Thank you for being here! If you’re here, it's because you know there's a purpose for your life. You were created for more.

  Today, I'm taking time to talk about the setbacks and obstacles that try to take you out of your purpose. Life is hard—but guess what? Your purpose is greater.

  This episode is filled with fire, truth, and encouragement. We've already prayed for you—that your heart would be fertile soil to receive today's word. So get ready: it's a good one!

  I'm so excited to introduce you to my dear friend and mentor, Cathy Greer!

  Cathy Greer:
  I'm so glad to be here, Megan. It's always an honor and a pleasure to be part of Team Brave.

  Megan Valentine:
  Some of you heard Cathy speak at the last Build Your Brave Experience—and you already know, she’s straight fire.

  Cathy is a missionary, a global traveler, a woman of the Word, a teacher, preacher, evangelist, and author—and most importantly, someone who ministers deeply to individuals. Story after story, she’s witnessed God's miraculous transformation in people’s lives.

  Make sure you connect with her! Follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and grab her books on Amazon—you’ll be so glad you did.

  Cathy, I'm so grateful for you. You came into my life when I was praying for a mentor, someone with wisdom who had walked through battles I was facing. Your investment into me through those prayer sessions and hard conversations? I wouldn’t be here today without it. Thank you.

  Cathy Greer:
  Thank you, Megan. It’s truly an honor to be part of someone’s story—watching what only God can do through transformation.

  How to Finish 2024 Strong (and Not Drag the Past into 2025)

  Megan Valentine:
  As a visionary, I'm already dreaming for 2025. But I’ve learned: before you turn the page, you need to finish strong.

  Today we're talking about heart health—not just physical, but emotional and spiritual heart health. Cathy, how can we finish this year strong and not carry old pain into a new season?

  Cathy Greer:
  We often think "finish strong" just applies to business or fitness—but in the Lord, finishing strong is about surrender.

  Surrender 2024.
  Surrender the disappointments.
  Surrender the bitterness, the betrayal, the broken dreams.

  Whether you’re celebrating or grieving after an election, a lost relationship, or a business setback—surrender it all.

  Why We Must Surrender to Finish Strong

  Megan Valentine:
  That’s powerful, but not always easy. Cathy, tell us why it’s so important—what happens if we don’t surrender?

  Cathy Greer:
  If we don't surrender, bitterness takes root. Hebrews warns that a bitter root defiles many. It doesn't just poison you—it poisons those around you.

  Unforgiveness, offense, grudges—those aren’t minor issues. They block our relationship with God. They invite the enemy into our lives. We can’t carry that into 2025.

  Forgiveness isn’t optional for believers—it’s commanded. It's protection. It's freedom.

  What’s in Your Backpack?

  Megan Valentine:
  Imagine if we could see the backpack we carry: unmet expectations, betrayal, anger, disappointment—all heavy rocks.

  Freedom isn’t just a cute word. It's available through surrender. But we have to lay down the backpack.

  I don't want to carry the weight of 2024 into 2025. I want freedom.

  Cathy Greer:
  Exactly. Forgiveness isn't letting someone off the hook. It's stepping out of the role of judge—and letting God be God.

  When we hold unforgiveness, we open ourselves to torment from the enemy. Love keeps no record of wrongs. We must forgive, surrender, and move forward.

  Finish Strong by Forgiving Yourself Too

  Megan Valentine:
  Forgiving others is hard. But forgiving yourself? Sometimes that's even harder.

  Yet if Jesus already paid for it, who are we to keep holding it against ourselves?

  Cathy Greer:
  Absolutely. For freedom, we were set free. But we have to choose freedom.

  If you're holding onto guilt, shame, disappointment—you’re choosing bondage.

  The Cross already bought your freedom. It’s time to walk in it.

  Make Space for Grieving and Gratitude

  Megan Valentine:
  I'm planning to take a quiet morning to reflect on 2024—both the grief and the gratitude.

  Some things need to be mourned. Some disappointments need a funeral.

  But after that? We bury it—and we rise.

  A Strategy for the Holidays: Walk in as an Ambassador

  Megan Valentine:
  Let’s not wait until New Year’s Eve to surrender. Especially because the holidays can be hard.

  How do we navigate family gatherings when there’s baggage and tension?

  Cathy Greer:
  Simple: Walk into the holidays like you're on a mission trip.

  • Pray before you go.

  • Serve, don’t expect.

  • Love, even when it's hard.

  • Remember: you're an ambassador of Christ—not just a son, daughter, sister, or brother.

  If someone rejects you? It’s not about you. Jesus was rejected too.

  Megan Valentine:
  That's such a powerful shift. Instead of walking in with unspoken expectations and disappointment—we walk in with purpose and peace.

  Cathy Greer:
  Exactly.
  In all you do, do it unto the Lord.
  Love without expecting anything back.
  Serve without expecting applause.

  That posture will change your holidays—and your heart.

  A Prayer for Freedom and a Fresh Start

  Megan Valentine:
  Cathy, will you pray for us before we close?

  Cathy Greer:
  Absolutely.

  Father, in the name of Jesus, we thank You for every person listening. We choose today to forgive—others, ourselves, even You, Lord, if we’ve been holding disappointment toward You.
  
  We surrender the disappointments of 2024. We lay down betrayal, unmet expectations, broken dreams. We lay them at Your feet.
  
  Heal every heart, God.
  
  Give us supernatural grace as we enter the holidays and the new year.
  Remind us that we are citizens of another kingdom. Send us into this next season free, healed, and hope-filled.
  
  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

  —
  
  Stay Connected with Cathy Greer

  You can find Cathy at:

  • Website: kathygreer.org

  • Instagram: @stuartandcathygreer

  • Facebook: Stuart and Cathy Greer

  • Books: Available on Amazon