Sæktu forritiðBeauty From Ashes: Finding Hope in the Midst of DevastationSýnishorn
Jesus conquered death. He lives forever. He reigns in glory. And we have victory in Him.
Take courage, dear friends, who are facing deep battles. If you are in the middle of the battle or just now coming out of the battle and are unsure of what is next, remember that he is greater than any enemy we face in this life. We overcome because he has overcome, and our lives are hidden in Christ. May God cover you with peace; may he bring healing in the face of hard news; may he bring deep, abiding joy that makes no sense to the world, and may he bring comfort and care as he wraps you in his arms.
The God of miracles fights for you today, and he is mighty.
I never thought I would share my own story of how addiction has impacted my life from the day I was born into this world. I thought I would live in that shame and denial my whole life. I never wanted anyone to know I was the daughter of an addict.
When my mom died I made a promise to myself that addiction would never touch my family again. And seven years later it showed back up, and it came in full steam ahead. It had completely taken over my husband's life and was destroying both our marriage and our family. We had separated, and every dream I ever had was shattered.
In my darkest moment of complete brokenness, I cried out to the Lord and asked Him what should I do. He said, “Wait. Trust me.”
I had no idea what to wait for, but I knew I had to be obedient, and in that time of waiting he gave me healing, forgiveness, restoration, and hope. I had to hang onto the promise of what the Lord had planned just for me. It wasn’t easy, and there were days when I wanted to give up. But I am so thankful I didn’t.
My beauty from ashes today is that my marriage is the best it has ever been; my husband is over a year sober; my kids have a present dad in their lives, and I have found my calling in sharing my story anytime the Lord leads.
Jesus is greater than any enemy we face in this life. We overcome because He has overcome and our lives are hidden in Christ.
The God of miracles fights for you today, and he is mighty.
There’s still beauty ahead… straight out of the ashes. Christ redeems. He is grace.
About this Plan
Sometimes life hurts. Sometimes life is hard. Sometimes life can be dark. And it leaves its mark—like ashes of grief—in the deepest parts of our souls, where no one but God can really see. In this plan, Darcie Stephens, Finding Hope Coordinator for Hope is Alive Ministries, shares some of her own story of loving those in the midst of substance abuse and how God brought her HOPE.
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