The following is an excerpt from my talk at the CDF Women's Conference last weekend:
Our suffering through abuse was not part of his original plan.
Abuse happens because there is sin in the world.
Someone else's sin may have caused you pain and despair
But God will show up to bring us through the pain.
Someone else's sin may have left you feeling as if no one really cares about you,
But God will take care of you. Allow Him to show you the depth of His love for you.
Carrying the burden of someone else's sin may have left you feeling alone and rejected,
But God will not abandon you. He will walk with you through every pain and every struggle you face.
Living through the heartache of someone's sin may leave you feeling as if you don't have a purpose.
But God will give your life purpose and meaning.
I find hope in the phrase
But God...
There is a power in these two simple three letter words that can provide the change we need in our thinking
and inspire the healing that our souls are longing for.
Are you all familiar with the story of Joseph found in Genesis? He was beaten by his jealous brothers and then sold into slavery. Which led to him being falsely accused by Potiphar's wife, which led to him being imprisoned, which lead to being forgotten about until eventually he was brought before Pharaoh who put him in charge of the land of Egypt.
In Genesis 50:20 Joseph says “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
Whatever pain you are going through, whatever struggles you have faced in the past, please know that God can redeem it and He can bring hope and healing and purpose in your life. And once you realize your purpose...you will have a new reason to live for Him!
