When Excellence Becomes Armor: The Healing We Block Ourselves From

A Soul Reflection for High-Achieving Women of Faith

We don’t mean to do it.
But somewhere along the journey, we start wearing our excellence like armor.

We sharpen our skills, we earn the degrees, we build the brands, we lead with fire. And all of it is beautiful until it becomes the very thing that shields us from healing.

Because if we’re honest…
The higher we rise, the more we expect things to come our way. We want control. We want to direct how healing arrives.
We want to “manage” deliverance like it’s a meeting agenda.

But healing doesn’t submit to our titles.
Breakthrough doesn’t respect our résumés.
And God? He doesn’t need our status to move.
He’s after our surrender.

The Illusion of Control That Keeps Us “Safe”

The hard truth is we often create blockers to protect our pain.
We dress it up in phrases like:

“I’m too busy for that.”

“I already know this.”

“That doesn’t apply to me.”

“I’ll pray about it” (when we know we won’t).

We think we’re safe, but in truth, we’re just stuck.

We get trapped by childhood wounds, generational patterns, and cultural beliefs that whisper:
“If I achieve enough, I’ll be worthy enough.”
“If I stay strong enough, I’ll forget the pain ever happened.”

But the truth is: status without surrender becomes a stronghold.

A Reminder from Naaman (2 Kings 5)

Naaman had all the accolades. A mighty warrior. A commander. Respected.
But none of it could protect him from leprosy.

He carried status in public but wore shame in private.

When he finally sought help, the prophet Elisha didn’t even come to the door.
He simply sent a message: “Go wash in the Jordan seven times.”
Naaman was offended. Insulted even.
It didn’t feel grand enough for someone of his stature.

And that’s where the conviction hits deep:
How many times have we rejected God’s instructions because they didn’t match our expectations?

Obedience Over Optics

We want healing but on our terms.
We want deliverance without discomfort.
We want faith but still crave control.

But the God’s Kingdom doesn’t operate that way.
Healing often comes through the humbling.

Naaman’s breakthrough required dipping in muddy water.
Not once. Seven times.
Each dip was a stripping away of pride.
Each dip, a death to the ego.
Each dip, a step toward obedience.

And in the end, it wasn’t his title that healed him.
It was his trust.

Ask Yourself…

• Where am I resisting healing because it looks unfamiliar or uncomfortable?
• What identities have I built around being strong, capable, or in control?
• Am I still trying to negotiate with God instead of surrendering to Him?

From My Personal Journal this is my prayer, and I share it with you –

Lord, increase my faith.
Not so I can do more but so I can discern quickly.
Help me move when You speak, even when it doesn’t make sense.
So I can lay down my pride when your instructions challenge my position.

Silence the overthinking that delays my obedience.
I pray for an obedient heart as I don’t want to just follow You. I want to be in step with You.

Healing Isn’t for the Perfect. It’s for the Willing.

You don’t need to be more qualified.
You don’t need to be more impressive.
You just need to be willing.

Willing to release the fear.
Willing to lay down the title.
Willing to get in the water no matter how muddy it looks.

Because on the other side of that obedience is freedom.
Freedom from the trauma that shaped your survival.
Freedom from the need to prove you’re enough.
Freedom to receive what God’s been trying to give you all along.

So, I say this to the woman reading who feels seen in this moment:
Let go. Step in. And dip as many times as it takes.
Your healing is waiting in the water.