You’re Designed for Freedom

I once heard a pastor say that God will allow you to live at the level you settle for—and I agree. There is more. I sincerely believe we were created for more, yet many people settle for far less than what God desires to give them.

I lived in the land of settling.

I accepted situations, treatment, and relationships that were far below where I wanted to be. Why? I wanted to be thankful. I wanted to be someone who invested in others without placing demands on them. I accepted the bare minimum because Christianity taught me to put others first, forgive everything, and—somewhere along the way—I neglected the truth that God actually cares how I am treated.

There was far more emphasis on how I could love the church and others, and far less focus on how deeply God loved me.

When “Love” Looks Like Settling

I settled because I was told that’s what love does.
I settled because I believed I was demonstrating unselfish, sacrificial love.

What I failed to see—and what no one pointed out to me—was that I was failing to recognize my own value. I chose mediocre. God did not choose that for me.

I remember talking with a woman from church one day when she said,
“Erin, no matter how poorly I treat you, you’re always there for me. I just love you.”

That wasn’t a compliment. It was a slap in the face.

She knew the behavior was wrong. She continued because I tolerated it. I wasn’t a complete doormat—I simply chose to forgive her over and over again. I loved her despite her lack of love for me.

What I tolerated was a misalignment.

I was not living empowered or free. I was living a life of settling.

A Dangerous—but Life‑Changing—Prayer

This pattern continued for several more years with other long‑standing relationships, until I prayed a dangerous yet powerful prayer:

“God, anything that is not tied to my destiny or Your best for my life, I ask that You remove it.”

Within months, several long‑term friendships ended. Some people picked arguments over nothing. One person told me God said not to remain friends. During that same season, I was laid off from my job.

Everything shifted—radically.

Seven Years Later…

Fast forward seven years.

• I have completed three books
• I founded and launched Lamb Enterprises LLC (Empowered & Free)
• I’ve appeared on TV and radio
• Dozens of people have encountered freedom through soul healing
• Nearly 50 people have been trained in soul healing
• Relationships 101 was featured at the 2025 London Book Fair
• I entered a new corporate role and have been promoted four times
• I’ve traveled the world
• I’ve gained healthy, supportive, invested friendships
• I’ve recently been featured in news articles across the U.S. and overseas

I told God that I sincerely desired Ephesians 3:20 blessings—and that I did not want to spend my entire life suffering, merely overcoming, and living in heartbreak.

Rethinking Suffering and God’s Nature

I understand deeply that following Jesus can include persecution and suffering.
But I do not believe life was intended to be endless tears, disappointment, pain, heartache, or surviving on crumbs from someone else’s table.

I believe God desires more for His children than we would ever desire for our own.

Years ago, I had a vision. I was standing in a massive room with God. I couldn’t see God’s face, but I could hear His voice. As far as I could see—upward and outward—were gold boxes with names etched on them.

I asked what they were.

God replied,

“These are all the promises I have for My children that they never claim.”

The Lie of a “Cosmic Bully” God

I believe God is good.

Sadly, culture—and parts of religion—have portrayed God as a cosmic bully: demanding, cruel, and only interested in being worshiped. This false image shapes people’s expectations of God. They stop expecting much at all.

They stop believing for the exceedingly, abundantly, above all they could ask or imagine.

They settle and call it holiness.
They settle and say, “It’s God’s will.”
They remain stuck, assuming God is only trying to teach them a lesson.

God is absolutely able to turn ashes into beauty. But that does not mean God needs to burn everything to the ground to create something beautiful.

The message that God turns messes into messages should never encourage people to create messes just to see what God will do.

I don’t need to cut myself to prove that a doctor knows how to stitch wounds.

An Invitation to Freedom

My encouragement to you is this:

Ask God where you may be settling for less than what He wants to give you.

Ask God where your heart or mind may be bound.
Ask for freedom.
Ask for fresh eyes to see yourself—and your destiny—through God’s eyes.
Ask God to heal any wounds caused by religious teaching that painted Him as a cosmic bully.

There is more for you.
More for you in God and with God.

You were never designed to live bound, overlooked, or surviving on crumbs. Ask God where you may be settling—and be brave enough to receive what He’s always wanted to give you.

Bonus link to the UAE Times Article: Empowered & Free in UAE Times Article

Love,

Erin Lamb