When Grace Appeared

This is a compelling story of relentless faith achieved through tremendous loss, unbearable pain, suffering, betrayal, a spirit crushed, a heart shattered, even death itself. "I should have lost my mind, I should have died." Only a God of all the universe could have saved me, and He did. He literally brought me out from the pit of hell. He gave me a hope, a future, a purpose for the pain. A story to tell.

Life is rough and certainly not always fair. We must constantly struggle in a world lost between good and evil. We live with the realities of pain, sickness, and death. We live in a world that is constantly decaying. Even if we turn our life over to God, what is there to look forward too? First Peter 1:3-6 tells us: "Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance, an inheritance that is kept in Heaven for you . . . And through your faith, God is protecting you by His power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while."

The apostle Paul offers this encouragement: "Since we are His children, we are His heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God's glory. But if we are to share His glory, we must also share His suffering. Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will reveal to us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who His children really are" (Romans 8:17-19).

Jesus said: "You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it" (Matthew 7:13-14).

What I have learned along this narrow road is my God is good! He walks through the fire with me. I do not have to be afraid. Just trust in Him, not this world. He will make beauty from your ashes. He will cause everything bad in your life to turn around for good. My story is twenty years in the making. Destiny has finally arrived. God has a plan. And it will be fulfilled!