REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES

On the fourth Friday of each month in 2025, we’re studying The Search for Significance by Robert S. McGee. Join me as we confront the enemy’s lies of self-doubt and find our victory in the truth of who we are according to God’s Word!

I’m so excited to continue our journey through The Search for Significance by Robert S. McGee. Last month, we uncovered the trap of basing our worth on performance and how it leads to fear, anxiety, and burnout. Now, we turn to God’s Answer – Justification, which reveals how we can fully rest in Christ’s righteousness instead of striving for approval through our own works.

Summary: Chapter Four – God’s Answer: Justification

Many of us spend our lives trying to prove we are “good enough,” believing that our worth is tied to our successes or failures. This chapter introduces justification, the biblical truth that God declares us righteous through Christ, apart from our own efforts. Justification means that when God looks at us, He sees Jesus’ perfection, not our shortcomings. This truth frees us from guilt and self-condemnation, allowing us to live with confidence in God’s love rather than fear of failure.

“Because of Christ’s finished work, we don’t have to strive for God’s acceptance—we already have it.” – Paraphrase from Robert S. McGee

Biblical Truths

Romans 5:1 – “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
- Our peace with God is not based on our actions but on His grace through faith.
Titus 3:5 – “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.”
- Our salvation is based on God’s mercy, not our performance.

Key Idea

Justification means that we are fully accepted by God through faith in Christ. We don’t have to earn His love or approval—it’s already given.

Reflection Question

Have you ever felt like you needed to prove your worth to God or others? How does knowing you are justified by faith in Christ change that perspective?

Practical Application

Speak Truth Over Yourself – Each morning, remind yourself: “I am justified by faith, not by my performance.” Post Romans 5:1 somewhere visible to meditate on throughout the day.
Release the Burden of Perfection – Write down any areas where you feel pressured to “be enough.” Surrender them in prayer, asking God to help you rest in His righteousness instead of your efforts.

My Personal Reflections

For so many years, I thought I had to “earn” approval—not just from people, but even from God. Even though I’ve learned about justification, I still struggle from time to time to accept that God has already declared me righteous, apart from anything I had done or failed to do. It was hard to let go of the idea that I have to “perform” to be loved.

But the more I study Scripture, the more I realize Jesus’ sacrifice was enough. There is nothing I can do to make me more accepted by God. This truth brings so much peace! When I feel that old mindset creeping in, I remind myself: I am justified. I am loved. I am enough—not because of me, but because of Christ.

I pray that this truth of justification sets you free from striving and allows you to live in the peace and joy that comes from knowing you are already fully accepted in Christ.

Next month, we’ll dive into Chapter Five: Approval Addict, where we’ll examine how we can break free from the need for validation from others and embrace God’s unshakable approval.

Until then soak in the truth of John Mark McMillan’s song, How He Loves Us, knowing that You are justified. You are free. You are loved.

In MY VICTORY VERSES, we will explore key Bible verses that have shaped my life recovery journey since 2005. After sharing how these verses impacted me, we will dive into their meaning and how they bring lasting victory. This column publishes on the 3rd Friday of each month in 2025.

Recovery is a journey, not a destination, and along the way, certain scriptures have been my guiding lights. Philippians 3:12-14 is one of those verses that has continually brought me back to the truth of pressing forward in faith:

“I haven’t yet reached the fullness of victory, and I haven’t achieved perfection, but I press on, determined to take hold of the purpose for which Christ Jesus has taken hold of me. I don’t let myself dwell on what’s behind; instead, I focus on what lies ahead. I press forward with all my heart toward the goal, striving for the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus. Victory is mine as I keep my eyes on Him!” — Philippians 3:12-14 (My personal confession)

In the very early days of my addiction recovery, God gave me this scripture to hold onto. These were days where I was so overwhelmed with thoughts and memories of all the terrible mistakes I had made and the pain and heartache I had brought on my marriage and family. At that time, it seemed like I was never going to get through those dark days and have a happy life again.

By meditating on and confessing the verses above, God saved me from the downward spiral of lies and pointed me to the future victory He had in store for me. It didn’t come easily or quickly. I had to be intentional with my spiritual practices every day, sometimes multiple times per day. It took dedication to transform my mind with the Word of God, which allowed me to forget the past and push toward the wonderful future that God was calling me to.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed today, I encourage you to take small, intentional steps like I did—starting with meditating on God’s promises. There were many days and years when I would lay down with my 3×5 card in hand and recite scripture confessions over and over in my mind before sleeping. I would take my cards with me everywhere I went. They were posted on my car dash, on the bathroom mirror, kitchen counters, and refrigerator. Only with complete immersion in scripture will our minds be fully renewed.

We must not let anything take our eyes off our goal of being all Christ died for us to be. We must lay aside any and everything that is harmful and can distract us from living our life for Christ.

When we get discouraged trying to live the perfect Christian life, we must always remember: if we are frustrated, we are likely trying to do it in our own power. We can never do what Christ wants us to do without the power of the Holy Spirit helping us.

Jesus lovingly invites us to leave our painful past behind. He calls us to grow forward in a life of faith and obedience, stepping into a victorious future with Him!

What areas of your life do you need to press forward in today? Ask God for His strength to leave the past behind and step into the victorious future He has for you.

Take some time to soak in the blessings of Hillsong United’s timeless song: “Oceans.” This song has brought so much healing to me over the years. It beautifully echoes the call to step out in faith, trusting Jesus to lead us through the unknown into victory.