I never knew He could change my life so radically.
Sure, others told me He would and deep down I wanted to believe them. Yet, there was still the looming doubt. Unexplainable and unsettled feeling that was hidden deep within my heart. Questions rolling around in my mind, yet I dare to speak them out loud.
What if I couldn’t be changed? What if I was the only one on earth that wasn’t fixable? What if my doubts and insecurities would keep me from experiencing all He had for me?
Would the scars from my past follow me around forever? Would the bad choices I made so long ago disqualify me?
Then one day as I opened another letter from Him the unexpected happened. His words changed me – in a way that totally transformed my thoughts about the future.
For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable. [He never withdraws them when once they are given, and He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call.] Romans 11:29 (AMP)
Although He could change me, He would never change His mind about me.
The gifts He had given and call He placed on my life could not be torn away by my past mistakes or poor choices.
It was a promise I could hang my hope on. A sacred guarantee from Him.
Do you sometimes wonder if the experiences of your past somehow disqualifies you from His beautiful plans for your future? If so, I hope and pray you allow the words of Romans 11:29 to sink deep within your soul and transform your thoughts about the future.
Yes, the gifts He’s given you and the call He’s placed on your life are just as secure today as they were the day you were born again.
You have a bright future with Him. A purpose full of hope and possibilities.
Would you join me in discovering what could be possible if we allow the truths of Romans 11:29 to become a reality in our lives?
My good friend, Tracie Miles, has put together an amazing online Bible study based on her new book, Your Life Still Counts. – How God Uses Your Past To Create a Beautiful Future.
Tracie asked me to join her for this 7 week study and told me all about the fun things she’s planning. So, of course I said, “Yes! Can I invite some of my friends?”
Tracie already has almost 2000 women joining her for the study and we’re going to have so much fun! Oh, I hope you’ll join us and come along for the journey.
To find out more and sign up for this FREE online Bible study just click HERE
Today I’m sharing one of my stories on Tracie’s blog. If your curious, click HERE to read it. I’ll fill you in on a sticky situation that could have easily disqualified me for any bright future.
Yet, He was there. Watching over me the entire time. And today He is watching over you.
Yes, He’s radically changed me and I hope you’re allowing Him to change you too!
Stefanie says
Hello, this is my first time on your site and reading your blog. As i read your trials and spiritual breakthroughs, i think that there is some hope in life through our savior. I too have suffered tremendous loss of my career, job life of a state position, ive lost all hope of just being around people and ive become invisible to a workforce where i use to help people in the substance abuse and criminal justice field, race and ethnicity played a major part, bur when you are poor, a woman and of color who do others believe. I have endured trauma, housing and health crisis and i feel at a loss of whoni am or whom id become. I use to be a very faithful servant in the Lords kingdom and i had zeal and passion for the Kingdom and Gods people. My life has been destroyed over a seven year battlefield and i have very luttle faith and my prayer life shifts from moment to moment, i really have no friends and what family i do have is my kids and i use to be a role model of a hatd worker, but now im just in poverty living and trying to survive on what dissability income im able to receive, i use to own a home, in the past year i have been in three apartments houding problems after another, and im just a broken vessel, drugs, alcohol or street life has not taken me but i feel that im not too far from the pit of these temptations. I struggle now with ptsd drpression anxiety and i despies the feelings, i need my life back and at times i dont believe the God ive looked to and believed in heats me, i want to get out of these ruts of disgrace im in and turn my circumstances around, but i believe the wretch in me is useless.
Leah DiPascal says
Stephanie, I can tell by your words that life has tried to beat you up and snuff out the zeal & passion you once had for the Lord. Your story reveals that you’ve been through so much and I want you to know that I’m praying for you today. I also want to encourage you to begin building your faith again so that God can do a miracle in your life. God tells us in His Word that faith comes by hearing; hearing the Word of God. (Romans 10:17) No matter what you’ve been though, God still loves you and wants to restore you. God doesn’t need you to be perfect to come to Him. He just needs you to be willing. The quickest way to experience freedom your anxiety and depression is to invite God back into your life again. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom! (2 Corinthians 3:17) Maybe start by simply putting on some praise & worship music because the Lord inhabits the praises of His people. 🙂
Charon says
Hello Leah,
I just read your story on Tracie Miles’ blog and I am very excited to be participating in the upcoming Bible study. I was so inspired by your story that I just had to visit your blog and I want to thank you for sharing. I am going thru a very difficult season and the enemy wants me to believe that this is the end of the road for me. I am fighting to keep my family afloat. Both my husband and I are creative artists. And a series of up and down years in trying to pursue our dreams has left our finances in a mess. We now have a 2 year old daughter which we have to support and that is my number one priority. My husband is an amazing father and a good husband. He just lacks in the one area of providing for our family. I have taken a job that is not necessarily something that I like, but it is a necessity. My husband, on the other hand, is apparently “waiting on the perfect opportunity.” In the meantime, everything is falling down around us. Cars repossessed. Rent payments late, etc. I am looking for a better job, but my current job is not doing it. And I don’t know how to talk to my husband in love without making him feel emasculated. I am feeling more anxious and depressed by the day. And I feel my dreams are unworthy because there has been no financial stability in them. I have no energy to try and do better because I am so exhausted just trying to survive. The enemy’s greatest tool of destruction is discouragement and hopelessness. And while I try my beat, it is hard to avoid when one negative thing happens after another. I know this was long, but I guess the final word is that I would just really love some insight on surviving thru a really dark space and keeping my family together and building my husband up while still asking for help and support. Thank you for reading this and God bless you.
Leah DiPascal says
Charon, I’m so glad you stopped by today and I can tell by your story that things have been extremely difficult for you and your family. Life is hard and filled with difficulty. People disappoint us and things don’t often happen like we plan, but we still can have hope because of God. He is our Provider and Sustainer. He is our source of help, strength and joy in times of heartache. We have to keep our eyes on Him and remember the promises He’s made to us in His Word. We have to do our best and then trust that God will come through – just like He promises He will. God is our light in the dark places. He is our comfort when are hearts feel pain. Keep praying, Charon and when you think you’ve prayed enough, pray some more. With God anything is possible. He performs miracles everyday and your miracle is right up ahead. Don’t give up believing that God can do abundantly above all you could every ask, imagine or dream. I hope you got a chance to watch the YLSC webcast last night. If not, here’s the link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgfErzDp15w&feature=youtu.be . I hope it encourages you today!
Diana says
Seeking prayer for my husband, he got laid off and needs clarity as to Gods leading. Trusting God to see us through and bring us closer to Him in this journey.
Sweet blessing!
Leah DiPascal says
Diane, I’m praying for you and your husband today. Trusting God will fulfill His promises in both of your lives. As I read your comments I was reminded of Philippians 4:19, “God will supply your every need according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” That certainly is a faithful promise you can hold onto.
Ashton Firkus says
I know God has some great stuff planned to give my horrible experience meaning and purpose. It’s just the anxiety that holds me back. Not the anxiety of the future journey but the anxiety from the past lingering in my head. I’m hoping your blog helps. 🙂 maybe it will also give me inspiration and turn on lightbulb a for my own blog that I have neglected for the past 2 months. Thank you in advanced, Leah, for this blog and I look forward to tracie’s bible study.
Leah DiPascal says
Ashton, I’m so glad you’re joining us for Tracie’s online Bible study. Healing begins when we realize we’re not alone in the process and we’re not the only ones struggling with anxiety from our past. Having others along on the journey is not only therapeutic, but essential and Biblical.
Once we discover how to fully embrace the love God has for us, then we are able to let go of our anxiety. His perfect love casts out all our fears (1 John 4:18)
Ashton Firkus says
So true! and thank you for that verse! 🙂