I will bless you with a future filled with hope–a future of success, not of suffering. (Jeremiah 29:11, CEV)
While spending time in Los Angeles with my youngest daughter, Allyson, we’ve been watching chick flicks almost every night. From 13 Going on 30 to You’ve Got Mail to Sweet Home Alabama, we’ve been enjoying a healthy dose of romantic comedies.
But just the other night we watched a chick flick I hadn’t seen in a really long time, and I’d forgotten just how much I loved it–especially the rich dialogue. The movie is called Monster-in-Law and stars Jane Fonda and Jennifer Lopez; maybe you’ve seen it.
In this movie, JLo plays a single gal named Charlie who has never had much luck in love, so she’s skeptical of most men. Then, she meets Dr. Wonderful at a party. She thinks he must be too good to be true, and even if he is the real deal, she’s not sure she is worthy of him.
So, she moves forward very cautiously. He, on the other hand, is quite smitten and determined to date her.
When he brings her coffee at the beach one morning, she asks him, “Why should I go out with you?” He answers, “Because I’m different.” Before he can say anything, she turns her back to him and asks, “OK, then what color are my eyes?”
He doesn’t even hesitate and answers, “They’re brown at first glance. But upon further inspection, they have amber flecks in them….and when you look into the sunlight, they appear almost green. That’s my favorite.”
She turns to face him, smiling, and says, “I would have settled for ‘brown.’”
I think I just heard a collective, “Awww,” from every woman out there. That’s precious, isn’t it? But, that cute bit of dialogue got me thinking. (Yes, you can even hear from God while watching movies–it’s true!) Sure it was a precious scene in a movie, but in reality women are often prone to “settling” on a daily basis, and not just in the romance department.
Somehow, we’ve been deceived into thinking we don’t deserve the very best. This is especially true if you’ve ever been verbally or physically abused. Years of “settling” can wear you down and steal your hope and joy. But, I’m here to tell you–it’s time you stop settling for less. It’s time you stop thinking that you don’t deserve to be truly happy.
That’s what Bible teacher and evangelist Joyce Meyer had to do.
Joyce has often shared how she always felt that she didn’t deserve happiness due to the abuse in her background. But eventually, she realized that was a lie of the devil and began seeking God’s best in every area of her life.
Today, she is very happily married to a godly man named Dave. She is the matriarch of a blessed family. And, she is on the front lines for Jesus, bringing millions of people into the Kingdom of God.
But, just think. If she had settled for less than God had for her, she might never have experienced a happy and fulfilled life. And we might never have heard her preach.
So, what are you settling for in your life? Have you given up on God’s best? Or, is there something in your past that makes you think you don’t deserve happiness, love, wholeness and peace?
Listen, if you’ve accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, your slate is totally wiped clean. No matter what you’ve done or what someone else has done to you–you are valuable to God, and He desires good things for you.
If you’ve been settling for much less than what God has promised you in His Word, it’s not too late. Start expecting God’s goodness in your life. Ask Him to help you realize just how precious you are to Him. Once you know that truth, you’ll never settle again!
