“ ‘Because he loves me,’ says the Lord, I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” –Psalm 91:14-16 NIV
Years ago, I fell victim to the tightest trap of darkness. Stuck, lost, and on my way down a path of destruction almost to the point of no return, I struggled throughout high school and years that followed to find myself. I wanted to know where I belonged and what my purpose was. Back then, you could have never told me I’d find the meaning to life hidden in a life for Christ. My life varied from deep involvement in the wrong crowd, “sin buddies”, as I would call it, almost losing myself and risking precious relationships with family, and much more.
Surprisingly, the dark chaos evidently was not too dark for God’s profound ability to see me grow closer to Him. Through many letdowns, disappointments, betrayals, moments of being taken advantage of, self-inflicted hurt and pain, undealt anger and bitterness combatted through harmful ways – almost being defeated in an unconscious, long-term attack of spiritual warfare – God was, and still is, orchestrating. From the roughest of the rough, God had his diamond in the making. He had to show me what being drowned in the darkness of this world consisted of – leading a life of deceitfulness, being easily influenced, living in impurity, experiencing abuse, feeling insecure, and experiencing the consequences of vile actions, just to name a few – before I came to know and appreciate His love and astounding grace.
Today, you’re reading about a 25-year-old woman whose “talented and gifted” high school education opportunity took a turn for the worse, lived a life of selfish ambition and idolatry, and became blinded by the deceitfulness and sinful nature of a toxic relationship that nearly ruined her. Yet, despite all of what she would consider “life’s disappointments”, God had a plan for what He allows her to now call a testimony.
By making the decision to study the beautiful, everlasting word of God and surrendering it all to follow God, I’ve been able to start the journey to true self-discovery and “live fully convinced that God is able to do what He promises.” Wherever you are in your season of life today, choose to accept and follow God, and He can turn your strongest battles into blessings, too.
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