Settling For Less

“I sought the Lord, and He answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4

For over three years, I have been making a protein shake for every breakfast and most lunches. My shakes include a banana, blueberries, spinach or some type of greens, protein powder, water, and ice. Sometimes the shakes are icy, sometimes watery, and sometimes smooth. I have used a standard blender and accepted that the shakes are fine. I purchased a new protein powder that created a foamier shake, and the small blender could not hold it all. So, I decided to purchase a larger one made specifically for smoothies. Was I ever in for a shock, my protein shakes are now amazing and smooth. My Ninja makes the best shakes. They are creamy and delicious. Who knew a different blender would make such a difference.

I had settled for less than the best, and I accepted that it was fine. I was still drinking them and getting my protein. Now, I see that I was settling for something that was just acceptable. I have experienced the amazing shakes and would never go back to making them the old way. I was choosing mediocre when at my disposal was quality.

So, what does a blender have to do with life and living fully? I believe a lot. I have been reflecting on how my situation applies to life. We tend to cling to old ways that we believe are fine and acceptable because it is how we have always done it. We tend to keep going in the same direction and same focus knowing that it is not totally fulfilling, but it will do. We still do the necessary tasks and function as well as the average person.

I believe God has so much more to give us in life, but we get pre-occupied with the little we have and hoard and hold on to it. We feel we have lost so much through the death of loved ones, dreams dashed, and what we thought would happened and it did not. We try to hold on to what we have. We fear losing it, and if we take another risk and try to live again, we will experience hurt and pain.

Fear holds us back. We know what it was like to hurt and experience the pain of loss and separation and we do not want to go through that again. So, we hold on to what we can control and just function in our little space. I believe God has so much more to give us. When we cling so tightly to what we have – what is left to the life we had or what we have accumulated – it never is satisfying. We spend so much time and energy trying to keep it safe and keep ourselves from being hurt. We pull inward and live in anxiety, fear, and worry.

Wow, all this from a blender? Yes! Sometimes we have to take the risk and experience life to the fullest. It may not be what we had but it will be a new adventure. When we settle, we also complain about the struggles and what we don’t have and the unsettledness within us. Yes, life is risky, just like buying a new blender – don’t know if we will like it or if it will work. But we will not know until we try it.

Take the risk. Buy the new blender. Go on the trip. Take the adventure. Change your routine. Try something new. Eat something different. Go to the gym. Reach out to a friend. Take a walk in the snow. You will not know if you like it, until you try it.

You can also do it afraid because God promises to be with us and to deliver us from our fears. That means we need to surrender our fears to Him. We may fear getting out of the rut because it is so familiar but unsatisfying. We know we are settling for less, but do not know how to change or motivate ourselves to take the steps.

Surrender and relinquish control to God. Trust Him. Take one step at a time. Take the risk. Do it afraid.

My Books on Amazon

Live Different Moments

Live Different Moments: Finding Contentment and Peace after Change and Loss: Sturtz, Elaine J. Clinger: 9798989125708: Amazon.com: Books

Living In The Different

https://www.amazon.com/Living-Different-passages-through-sorrow/dp/0998310239/

Life Lessons of a Lone Trooper

https://www.amazon.com/Life-Lessons-Lone-Trooper-Legacy/dp/0998310255/