Always Filled With Something
I learned that when something is removed it is always filled with something else.
I've been terrified of Step Six because I can't imagine who I'll be without my character defects. If I'm not controlling who am I? If I'm not people-pleasing how will I relate to others? If I release perfectionism what will drive me? The thought of just removing these patterns without knowing what replaces them feels like becoming an empty shell.
I learned that when something is removed it is always filled with something else. Always. Not maybe. Not sometimes. Always. When God removes a character defect God fills that space with something better. I don't have to know what that something is before I let go. I just have to trust that the space won't stay empty.
This changes everything about my fear of Step Six. I'm not becoming nothing when my defects are removed. I'm becoming filled with whatever God knows I need. Maybe peace replaces anxiety. Maybe trust replaces controlling. Maybe healthy boundaries replace people-pleasing. I don't get to design the replacement but I can trust there will be one.
The space created by removal is space for God to fill with something better.
When fear of emptiness keeps me from letting go of a character defect, I can remember: the space won't stay empty. God fills what's removed with something better. I don't have to know what that is – I just have to trust that God knows what I need to replace the defect.
