Finding Home: The Journey of Healing and Growth

Summary

Home is a word that stirs up many emotions—sometimes joy, sometimes pain. My own journey with “home” has been marked by brokenness, loss, and struggle, but also by the relentless pursuit of God’s love and restoration. Through seasons of family upheaval, loneliness, addiction, and anger, I discovered that God was always present, orchestrating moments of grace and sending people to be safety nets when I needed them most. Even in the darkest valleys, when I was ready to give up on God, He never gave up on me. Instead, He patiently drew me back, showing me that no one is ever too far gone to find their way home.

We all have areas in our lives where we need to take ground—places where we long for freedom, healing, or growth. But taking ground is rarely instantaneous. It’s a process, often a long one, marked by setbacks and victories, by layers of healing and moments of breakthrough. The posture of our heart is crucial in this journey. We must choose to incline our hearts toward God, to set ourselves on a path of obedience and openness, even when it’s hard or when progress feels slow.

Desire plays a vital role. Like a gazelle running for its life, we must hunger for freedom and transformation. No one else can want it for us more than we want it for ourselves. We are called to be safety nets for others, but we cannot carry them to freedom—they must choose it. Likewise, we must ask ourselves: How badly do we want to move forward? Are we willing to take the next step, no matter how small?

Momentum is built through faithfulness in the small things. Whether you are creating momentum for your family or building on the legacy handed to you, every wise choice, every act of obedience, every moment of faithfulness adds up. Mistakes will happen, but they are not meant to define us—they are meant to refine us. As we keep moving forward, even when progress is slow, we gain confidence, spiritual “swagger,” and the assurance that God is at work. The journey is long, but with each step, we grow stronger, and the things that once held us back grow weaker. Faithfulness today prepares us for fruitfulness tomorrow.

Key Takeaways

- The Posture of the Heart Determines the Journey
True transformation begins with the posture of our heart. We must intentionally incline our hearts toward God, choosing openness and obedience even when it’s uncomfortable. This posture allows God to work deeply within us, making the process of healing and growth possible, even if it takes time. Our willingness to set our hearts on Him is the foundation for lasting change. [05:12]

- Freedom and Healing Are Often Layered Processes
Some battles are won in a moment, but many require perseverance over years. Like peeling an onion, freedom and healing often come in layers, with each season revealing new areas for God to address. Progress may be slow, but what matters is that we are growing stronger, not that we have arrived. The long war is not a sign of failure, but of God’s patient, ongoing work in us. [14:27]

- Desire and Personal Responsibility Are Essential
No one can want freedom or growth for us more than we want it for ourselves. Like the gazelle fleeing the hunter, our hunger for change must be urgent and personal. We play a vital role in our own transformation, and while others can support us, we must take responsibility for our journey and be willing to take the necessary steps. [17:18]

- Momentum Is Built Through Faithfulness in Small Things
Spiritual momentum doesn’t come from grand gestures, but from consistent faithfulness in the everyday. Each wise choice, each act of obedience, and each moment of perseverance adds up, building confidence and spiritual strength. Even when fruit is not immediately visible, faithfulness prepares us for greater impact and breakthrough in the future. [30:05]

- Mistakes Refine, Not Define
Everyone makes mistakes, but they are not meant to be the end of our story. Instead, God uses our failures to refine us, teaching us humility, dependence, and resilience. The key is to keep moving forward, allowing God to transform our setbacks into stepping stones for growth and deeper trust in Him. [24:37]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:55] - Finding Family and God’s Care in Brokenness
[02:25] - Church Vision and Gratitude
[05:12] - The Posture of Our Hearts
[08:45] - The Process of Freedom and Healing
[09:53] - Struggles with Addiction and Temptation
[11:07] - Breaking Free from Secret Strongholds
[12:40] - Anger, Layers of Freedom, and Long Battles
[14:27] - Growing Stronger Through the Process
[16:23] - How Badly Do You Want to Take Ground?
[17:18] - The Role of Desire and Personal Responsibility
[19:06] - Are You Moving Forward?
[20:00] - Building and Sustaining Spiritual Momentum
[21:32] - Creating and Handing Off Momentum in Families
[24:07] - Wisdom, Choices, and Moving Past Mistakes
[26:53] - Building Confidence Through Small Steps
[30:05] - Faithfulness and Fruitfulness
[32:34] - Practicing Faithfulness When No One Sees
[33:38] - Responding to God’s Invitation
[40:46] - Surrender and Worship
[43:13] - Closing and Blessing

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

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### Bible Reading

Psalm 119:112 (NLT)
I am determined to keep your decrees to the very end.

2 Samuel 3:1 (NLT)
That was the beginning of a long war between those who were loyal to Saul and those loyal to David. As time passed, David became stronger and stronger, while Saul’s dynasty became weaker and weaker.

Proverbs 6:5 (NLT)
Save yourself like a gazelle escaping from a hunter, like a bird fleeing from a net.

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### Observation Questions

1. In Psalm 119:112, what does the psalmist say he is determined to do? What does this reveal about his heart posture?
2. According to 2 Samuel 3:1, what was happening between the houses of Saul and David, and what was the result over time?
3. In Proverbs 6:5, what kind of urgency is described in the way we should seek freedom?
4. The sermon described the process of taking ground in our lives as “layered” and not always instant. What examples did the pastor give from his own life to illustrate this? [[09:53]]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why does the psalmist say, “I incline my heart” instead of asking God to do it for him? What does this suggest about our role in spiritual growth? [[05:12]]
2. The long war between Saul and David’s houses is used as a metaphor for our own struggles. What does it mean for us to “grow stronger and stronger” even if the battle is long? [[14:27]]
3. The pastor compared our desire for freedom to a gazelle running for its life. Why is personal desire and responsibility so important in the process of change? [[17:18]]
4. The sermon said, “Mistakes don’t let them define you. Let them refine you.” How does this perspective change the way we view our failures? [[24:37]]

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### Application Questions

1. The pastor shared about inclining his heart toward God even when it was hard. Is there an area in your life right now where you need to intentionally set your heart toward God? What would that look like this week? [[05:12]]
2. Think about a struggle or area of brokenness in your life that has lasted a long time. Are you able to see any ways you have grown stronger, even if you haven’t “arrived” yet? How can you celebrate that progress? [[14:27]]
3. On a scale of 1 to 10, how badly do you want to take ground in a specific area of your life? What is one small step you can take this week to move forward? [[16:23]]
4. The pastor said, “No one can want freedom for someone more than they want it for themselves.” Is there someone in your life you are trying to “carry” to freedom? How can you be a safety net for them without taking on responsibility that isn’t yours? [[17:18]]
5. What is one “small thing” you can be faithful in this week, even if it doesn’t seem significant? How might that build spiritual momentum in your life or family? [[30:05]]
6. When you make a mistake, do you tend to let it define you or refine you? What is one way you can let God use a recent failure to help you grow? [[24:37]]
7. The pastor talked about building momentum for your family or building on the legacy handed to you. Are you in a season of creating momentum or building on what someone else started? What does faithfulness look like for you in this season? [[21:32]]

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Devotional

Day 1: The Posture of Your Heart Determines Your Growth
The direction and progress of your spiritual life is deeply influenced by the posture of your heart. When you intentionally incline your heart toward God, as the psalmist did, you open yourself to transformation and growth. This is not something that happens passively or automatically; it requires a conscious decision to pursue God, to set your heart on His ways, and to be receptive to His work in your life. Even when you desire God to instantly change your heart, there is a part you must play—choosing to incline your heart, to seek Him, and to remain open to His leading. [05:12]

Psalm 119:112 (NLT)
"I am determined to keep your decrees to the very end."

Reflection: What is one practical way you can intentionally incline your heart toward God today, even if you don’t feel like it?


Day 2: Freedom and Growth Are Often a Long Process
Some battles in life are not won overnight, but through a long process of perseverance and trust in God. Just as the war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time, there are struggles and strongholds in our lives that may take years to overcome. The key is not to be discouraged by the length of the battle, but to recognize that God is strengthening you through the process. Over time, as you continue to seek Him and take steps forward, you will find that you are growing stronger, even if the struggle remains. [14:27]

2 Samuel 3:1 (NLT)
"That was the beginning of a long war between those who were loyal to Saul and those loyal to David. As time passed, David became stronger and stronger, while Saul’s dynasty became weaker and weaker."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to be patient with the process, trusting that God is making you stronger even if the struggle continues?


Day 3: Your Desire and Effort Matter in Breaking Free
True freedom and breakthrough require a deep desire and personal effort. The Bible urges us to free ourselves with the urgency of a gazelle escaping a hunter, emphasizing that we have a significant role in our own deliverance. It’s not enough to wish for change; you must be hungry for it, willing to take action, and determined to break free from whatever is holding you back. This level of desire will drive you to make the necessary changes, seek help, and persist until you experience freedom. [17:18]

Proverbs 6:5 (NLT)
"Save yourself like a gazelle escaping from a hunter, like a bird fleeing from a net."

Reflection: What is one area where you need to pursue freedom with greater urgency and determination, and what step can you take today?


Day 4: Momentum Is Built by Moving Forward and Making Wise Choices
Spiritual momentum is created and sustained by consistently making wise choices and moving forward, even if the steps seem small. Like David and Solomon, who created and built momentum for their families and communities, you are called to take action, obey God, and build upon what has been handed to you. Mistakes will happen, but they are opportunities for refinement, not reasons to stop. The important thing is to keep moving, to start making life choices that align with God’s will, and to trust that momentum will grow as you do. [21:32]

1 Kings 2:1-4 (NLT)
"As the time of King David’s death approached, he gave this charge to his son Solomon: 'I am going where everyone on earth must someday go. Take courage and be a man. Observe the requirements of the Lord your God, and follow all his ways. Keep the decrees, commands, regulations, and laws written in the Law of Moses so that you will be successful in all you do and wherever you go. If you do this, then the Lord will keep the promise he made to me: He told me, "If your descendants live as they should and follow me faithfully with all their heart and soul, one of them will always sit on the throne of Israel."'"

Reflection: What is one wise choice you can make today that will help you build spiritual momentum in your life or family?


Day 5: Faithfulness in Small Things Leads to Fruitfulness
Being faithful with what God has given you right now, no matter how small it seems, is the key to experiencing greater fruitfulness and blessing in the future. God honors those who are faithful in the little things, and as you consistently show up, make good choices, and serve where you are, He will entrust you with more. Even when you don’t see immediate results, your faithfulness is building a foundation for future growth and impact. [30:05]

Matthew 25:21 (NLT)
"The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’"

Reflection: Where in your life do you need to recommit to being faithful in the small things, trusting that God will bring fruit in His time?

Quotes

I think sometimes what we want is we want God to set our heart, and I love it says, I incline my heart. I set my heart to go after the Lord. Well, why does this matter? Well, the posture of our heart matters, and when we talk about freedom, we talk about healing, when we talk about personally taking ground, we have a major part to play in that process. [00:07:49] (23 seconds)  #HeartPostureMatters Edit Clip

That is why two people can sit in the exact same service and have two completely different experiences. Two people can sit in the exact same service and the exact same worship set. One can worship the Lord and experience God's presence, and one can sit there and can't wait for the songs to be here, you know? Two people can listen to the same message, and one, the Holy Spirit, begins to do the work, to take steps, and one has tuned them out the whole person, why the posture of our heart matters. [00:08:12] (33 seconds)  #DifferentHeartsDifferentExperiences Edit Clip

I think a lot of times we want God to do things instantaneously. I love it when He does that, but often I have found in taking ground, God often doesn't do things instantaneously. It's a process. And it's a process of Him working and doing something in my heart. [00:08:45] (20 seconds)  #GodsProcessOfHealing Edit Clip

There's going to be some things in your life, God, that's instantaneously, and it's possible. There's going to be some things in your life, the war's going to be a long time. It's going to be a long battle. It is going to be many years in process of you. But I love that it says this. David grew stronger and stronger. Saul grew weaker and weaker. I don't want you to be discouraged where you're at. I want you actually to realize there's going to be some things in freedom and healing that's going to be a long process. But the question is, are you getting stronger? [00:14:23] (34 seconds)  #GrowthThroughStruggle Edit Clip

Be a safety net for people. Don't be a hammer. Be a safety net. We all need to be safety nets at times. We all need people to be safety nets. And if someone's hurting spiritually, relationally, financially, both, like, we should have people in our lives. [00:18:32] (16 seconds)  #CreatingSpiritualMomentum Edit Clip

You cannot fear a shift that's not moving. And sometimes in life, we're trying to fear a shift, and you've got to get some momentum and start getting your life to move forward. Start making life choices. It's the only way to move forward. You just start moving. [00:25:10] (16 seconds)  #FaithfulnessInTheWaiting Edit Clip

How do you build confidence? You start making wise choices. How do you build confidence? You just start moving forward. It might not be moving forward a lot, but I promise you, if you start moving forward, you're going to start spiritually getting some swagger. And you're going to spiritually start getting confidence. And you're going to know God a little bit more intimately. And you're going to be breaking through, you know, three of things in your life, where now the confidence and the momentum is going to be changing. But the only way to do that is to start moving forward. [00:28:47] (30 seconds)  #MomentumBuildsVictory Edit Clip