What's Your Story?
- Heather Baird
- Feb 18, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 24, 2023
Last week, 1 Peter 2:9 came to me every single day, a daily devotional, a sermon, an Instagram post, … It says, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people that you may proclaim of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” Honestly, I kept thinking, “ok…what am I supposed to be getting from this?
Then yesterday this part jumped off the page, “that you may proclaim of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” As I sat here, tears began to stream down my face. Images of my life began running through my mind. I was reminded of all he’s brought me through and out of.
Most of my life has felt like a struggle, a constant battle. I’ve asked so many times, why am I here? There has to be more. I have a family history of mental illness and depression, and looking back even as a child, I was fighting that darkness. I was eleven when I started battling eating disorders. I can remember a day looking in the mirror and the voice inside my head was, “you’re disgusting!” and that’s the voice I heard for years.
I know what it’s like to barely be able to get out of bed in the morning. Feeling the heaviness of hopelessness, not wanting to live another day. To live in self-hate, unforgiveness, anger, bitterness, and a negative mindset. My marriage has been on the brink of divorce, my home has been in utter chaos, with children out of control, hours of tantrums, screaming, and yelling.
BUT… “we’re a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation.” We’re chosen. God loved me, and you, so much He sent his son (John 3:16) so we didn’t have to live in our mess. Through Jesus’ sacrifice he brought freedom, healing, restoration, peace, joy...
I’m here to tell you, proclaim, that whatever you’re going though it’s not too big for Him. God can heal your broken heart and soul. He can heal your marriage, restore your family. Change your life! He loves you. He’s your daddy, and he’s waiting with open arms. He says, “lay it at my feet. It’s not yours to carry. Give it all to me and see what I can do.” The enemy will tell you you’re not good enough, deserving, or worthy.
But those are lies. The same ones I once believed, but do you know what I hear now? “You’re beautiful, loved, cherished, adored, blessed, anointed, and chosen. That’s what our God says about us. I keep coming across scriptures that talk about a double portion (Isaiah 61:7, Zechariah 9:12, Job 43:10). God has so much more for our lives than we can possibly imagine. His love for us is more than we can fathom.
The other day I heard this, “We’re each a stream, but when we come together, we become a river.” I share my story because my heart is someone finds freedom, life, hope, and encouragement from it. There is power in our testimony. Someone needs to hear your words, voice, encouragement. Your story, your testimony, has power to change someone’s life.
Lastly, I feel someone needs to hear this, “Your enemy doesn’t fight you based on your history. He fights you based on your destiny." God's got plans for you friend. Keep your faith. Keep pushing through.
“Your storm may not be about you. It may be about who you’re going to touch,” and “the only way the island would have been saved is through a shipwreck.” Acts 27
John 12:46 "I have come as a light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me would not remain in darkness."
Philippians 1:12 “Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.”
Acts 26:18 “I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.”
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