I remember 11 years ago, I was caught up in lust. Lust lead to sexual sin leaving me broken. I knew God’s word so the guilt and shame overpowered me. I didn’t want to confide in anyone because I’m a “Christian.”  I was bond by the old adage, “Christians don’t have those thought or act like that.” I was going to church and very actively involved in it.  However, I still felt alone.

One night after crying myself to sleep, God woke me up. He led me read to Romans 8. After getting through Romans 8:1, “There is therefore NOW no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” I sobbed for at least 10 minutes.  Afterwards, I felt forgiven and loved. The enemy in me was dying. I knew sin had no more power over me.

As I journeyed through Romans, I made another heart wrenching stop at Romans 8:18. “For the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory which shall be revealed in us.” I realized everything I was going through was only temporary. Trouble could not and would not last always. I continue to trust God and I must say what I went through was worth it!  Yes, I still have battles to fight.   However, my past has prepared me for my NOW and I’m BETTER because of it.

The tears were beginning to dry up. Now I feel that I’m worthy, but was not sure of myself. After all I was a 21-year-old, pregnant single parent, coupled with a failed marriage.  The damaging marriage allowed manipulation and lust that kept me with a man who didn’t want me or our offspring.  Who or what man would want me or take me serious?  Then, Romans 8:30-31 hit me like lightening.  “Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, he also justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? IF God be for us who can but against us?”  After reading those words I felt alive! Not only that, but I’m loved unconditionally. I’m FORGIVEN! YOU’RE FORGIVEN!  God has an expected end for you! Keep pushing.

As I finished Chapter 8, I literally laid out on my bed with tears of joy and a big smile on my face. Verses 35-39 states, ^35 “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ³⁶ As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. ³⁷ Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. ³⁸ For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, ³⁹ Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  We are spiritual “COPS”. Conquerors, Overcomers and Prevailers!

I accepted the fact, of living a life for Christ will cause times of loneliness, persecution and even rejection by man. BUT GOD! He foreknew this so he gave us clear instruction and encouragement to take us along this faith journey of LIFE. Nothing can separate you and I from his love and forgiveness. I let go of the sin and shame, and started a guilt free walk with Christ. He redeemed me that night. My life has never been the same.

If he did it for me, he can do it for you. No matter what you are going through allow him to step in and give you his beauty for your ashes.

Other Scripture reads:

Romans 8 (the entire chapter)

Isaiah 6:13

2 Timothy 1:17