From Battles to Breakthrough: My Journey of Surrender, Healing, and Faith

From Battles to Breakthrough: My Journey of Surrender, Healing, and FaitH

Since 2018, it’s felt like life has been hitting me year after year. Blow after blow, loss after loss. Each year carried its own traumatic, life-changing experiences, and some seasons felt heavier than others.

By 2020, I knew I had to find a way to survive and not just survive, but push through. That’s when I leaned fully into my brand, Push With Janay, using it not only to inspire others but to remind myself of my own strength.

Then came 2022 the year that felt like the hardest of them all. Grief knocked at my door more than once. I faced painful losses, battles in my mind, changes to my body, and challenges with my finances. I took what felt like countless L’s, and yet… I kept pushing.

But in 2025, something shifted.

I decided to surrender.

I surrendered to the Lord and made peace with the things I cannot change, while taking full responsibility for the things I can. I started moving differently. Speaking differently. Responding differently. I’ve been healing my heart, forgiving those who hurt me, and asking for forgiveness where I have fallen short. And most importantly I’ve been letting the Lord work on me, in His way and in His timing.

Right now, I feel something I haven’t felt in a long time: breakthrough.

I don’t know exactly what form it’s coming in, but I can feel the sun shining on me. Even in this season where parts of my life feel uncomfortable, I can still see the Lord’s blessings. I can feel the seeds I’ve planted over the years finally preparing to bloom.

My husband and I pray together consistently. I make time for therapy. I pause before reacting. I find the good in situations, even when it’s hard to see. And every single day, I refill my cup.

The Steps That Helped Me Push Through

Over the last few years, I’ve learned that healing isn’t an accident, it’s intentional.

Here’s what has carried me through:

1. Prayer -My Foundation

Before we start our day, my husband and I pray together. We thank God for allowing us to see another day, pray against anything coming to harm us, and speak gratitude into the atmosphere. Prayer changes things. It centers me, grounds me, and keeps my focus on the One who holds it all together.

2. Therapy- Taking Care of My Mental Health

Once or twice a month, I meet with my therapist. It’s where I can release what’s been weighing on me and get tools to keep my mind healthy. I believe therapy and prayer go hand-in-hand — one feeds my soul, the other strengthens my mind.

3. Self-Care- Refilling My Cup

I make time for the things that make me feel full and happy:

1. Walking at least 10,000 steps a day
2. Spending time near the water
3. Enjoying meals that bring me joy
4. Protecting my peace by not being a dumping ground for others
5. I surround myself with people who talk about solutions, not just problems. When I leave a conversation, I want to feel refilled, not drained.

4. Forgiveness- Releasing and Healing

I had to learn to forgive those who hurt me and to ask for forgiveness when I fell short. I’ve accepted that I can’t change everything and I’ve embraced changing the things I can.

5. Journaling- Documenting the Journey

Writing down my thoughts, prayers, and progress has been therapeutic. This blog itself is part of my healing journey a way to reflect, release, and grow.

I’ve realized that when I’m okay, everything attached to me is okay, too. It’s automatic, because I’m a nurturer, my healing spills over into my family, my friends, and my community.

So today, I just want to say:

Thank You, Lord.

Thank You for giving me the tools and resources to keep going.

Thank You for removing and replacing people, places, and things that no longer serve me.

Thank You for blessing me with a life that may not be filled with cars, jewels, or mansions, but is filled with peace, purpose, and Your presence. Because I’d rather have Jesus than silver and gold.

And so I thank You in advance for the blessings that are coming my way. I trust You, Lord, to protect my family from anything meant to harm us, seen and unseen. I will continue to surrender. I will continue to refill my cup. And I will be ready for the blessings.

If you’ve been feeling like your storm will never end, let me remind you the sun is still shining, even if the clouds are thick. Keep pushing. Keep believing. And trust God’s timing.

Something good is coming.

Get ready.

Follow Push With Janay on all social media platforms to walk this journey with me, because when we push together, we all win. 💛