God has a plan for your life and a purpose for your future.
No matter what you’ve been through or what’s been done to you, if you’re still breathing God isn’t finished with you yet! Sometimes we just need to be reminded. Other times we need to be persuaded to believe it’s true.
In her new book, Your Life Still Counts, my friend and author, Tracie Miles shares how she convinced herself that God couldn’t use her. There were too many things she had done wrong. But over time as Tracie came to know Christ she realized she was the perfect candidate for His transforming power. Through her brokenness Jesus could show off His grace and goodness. The very things Tracie believed “disqualified” her from ministry are now some of the most impactful parts of her life’s mission and message. Today, I invited Tracie to share some encouragement I think all of our hearts need to hear:
“Have you ever felt like you had nothing special to offer God? Like maybe He doled out the spiritual gifts to everyone else and forgot to give any to you? If so, I want to challenge you to think again.
God has divinely designed a unique purpose for your life. And, you are the only one gifted to fulfill it!
But, before we can discover and embrace what God has gifted us to do, we need to do a little looking back instead of just looking forward. The reality is that God has equipped us to minister to others through the experiences of our past.
But most of us don’t want to look back. We want the past to be the past, and keep trudging ahead. We don’t think about mistakes or hurts. We’d rather bury them in our hearts than talk about them with God, much less anyone else.
But when we do that we prevent our faith from fully blossoming, and we get caught up in trying to figure out how our skills and talents might serve God. What if instead, we look back and discover how our life can serve as a shining testament of His power?
We need is more than gift-assessment; we need a life-assessment to help us discover how our journey has equipped us for God’s divine purposes.
With each situation you have experienced or endured, you have been equipped to serve God.
Your experiences have been used by Christ to strengthen you and your faith. And now He is calling you to be an example of what He is capable of doing. Not just a witness for Christ, but a witness of His power in your life. Because your life matters to God, you do have something of great significance to offer Him – and it’s you.
No one can tell your story of healing, redemption, and purpose like you can.
Even if your experience is similar to someone else’s story, your perspective of what happened and your witness to the power of God’s intervention will be different and unique.
Second Corinthians 1:4 says, “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” Your experiences do not nullify your purpose in life; they prepare you for the purpose God destined you for. They do not void you from being able to participate in ministry, but instead they equip you for it.
Your life-change, healing, faith walk, and journey of transformation could be the story that reaches the broken heart of someone who has lost hope; someone who feels like their life doesn’t matter; someone who has never believed there is a God.
No one is equipped, trained, or qualified to share your story and your faith journey except you.
You are unique. Your experiences are unique. Your story is unlike any other.
Only you can glorify God through your one-of-a-kind design by bringing comfort to others as you allow your past to become the foundation of your personal ministry. When surrendered to Christ, your past experiences will become your most profound equipping and training.
As we gather with people this Thanksgiving and Christmas, let’s look for opportunities to love on them, share our hearts and our stories, and be open to how God wants to us for His divine purpose to bring hope, comfort and love to those around us. And let’s make our lives count for Christ!
YOUR LIFE STILL COUNTS
Enter to Win
We are giving away 4 copies of Your Life Still Counts! Two of you will win two copies (one to keep and one to give away)! To enter to win, simply share your thoughts about today’s post and let us know who you would give the second copy to! [If you’re reading this via email, please click here to enter to win! All entries must be on my blog under this post.]
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Wow! Oh my goodness how this hit home for me…I wonder every single day what I am here for. I wonder if it is to do this or that. I am so busy and so stressed trying to make ends meet in my home (I work 4 jobs, raising 4 children, serve at church and be a wife and a Child of God) that I often forget who I am…I know that this book will be a blessing to a dear friend that struggles more than I. What a blessing it would be to give to her. I know that God is amazing and has enormous plans for me.
Renee,
This is a great opportunity for me : “Your Life Still Counts”, one for me and one for whoever God lays on my heart when I receive the 2 books. By the way, when I give a gift away, I try to tell them: You may keep it forever or you may share or give it to whoever God lays on your heart. This frees me from having hurt feelings over their decision, and frees them up to declutter or whatever God lays on their heart. Happy Thanksgiving to you all, and thank you for all your love and help. Sincerely, tammy
P.S. I put your website because the entry called for one, but I don’t have one of my own.
I’ve had many many joys and good fortune but also have been through a lot of heartbreak and struggles in my life. I know that these experiences were GOD’s way of transforming me into the beautiful person that I am today. Would like to win a copy of your book. I do not understand the plans GOD has for me, but I try t trust his plans. I would share a copy of the book with my daughter Lindsey. We are making it through the untimely death of her beloved husband, and my grandson’s daddy. They struggled while he was here on earth with working and and sharing child care. They truely loved each other and their precious son. So far, my daughter has been blessed with a stable part-time job, a wonderful day care Mom, and she is able to go to school part-time with some grants. Now, her car has been breaking down every month for the past year. I am going to try to help her buy a good reliable used car. She feels abandoned, and does not know why all of these bad things happen to her. I want her to remember the goodness of our heavenly father. Thanks
For this very reason that you expressed in your article, my husband and have been separated since August. I have been keeping my past inside and letting it ruin my marriage by not sharing it and using it to help others. We are on the mend now and I give God all the glory for our reconciling and hopefully soon I can be back with him physically. It took a lot of emotional healing on both our parts and even though he had been divorced twice he didn’t understand how I coped with a past divorce. I have learn to let it go and solely lean on God’s word. Thank you Jesus!
I think a lot of women think that they don’t count or matter because of past mistakes. I am not sure who I would give the extra book to yet if I win. I help out with a young mom’s group and a lot of them struggle with this issue so I would share it with one of them.
For too long I lived with shame and guilt over getting pregnant before marriage. God heaps grace and forgiveness on us but if we’re looking through the lens of other people’s judgements and opinions we miss it. Thankful for a God who pursues us with extravagant, unconditional love and redeems our stories for His glory and our healing. Thank you Renee and Tracie for all you do. So thankful God has allowed our paths to intersect and even parallel in places. 🙂 Love you both deeply. Happy Thanksgiving! xo
I think that what has happened in the past can either kill you or make you stronger. If you choose to stay “stuck” in the bad or the past then you will remain a victim but if you move past it and decide to take action and not be powerless over the bad or the past you will be stronger. Turning it over to God is all you can do and believe that he is listening!
Oh how perfect is God’s timing! I have struggled so long with regrets and how Satan likes to whisper…”God can’t use you ….you’ve done this or that” ! So thankful we serve a merciful God!!!!!
Over the past 5 years I’ve had health battle after health battle, and then in the midst of my own health struggle, my mom passed away after a long battle with cancer. For awhile, I allowed myself to get down, feeling like there was no way out, and wondering why God was allowing these things to happen to myself and my family. But even when I thought I was at my worst, He has shown me how to help lift others out of the same pit I had been in. I would give the 2nd copy to my sister who, along with losing our mom, struggled to get pregnant along with many other health struggles. Her story is so good, I want her to realize how much He wants to use her story to help other women who are now in the same boat she was once in.
Since my husband’s health began to deteriorate 9 yrs ago, my life has basically been put on hold…He went into a nursing home for long term care 2 yrs ago & since then I have literally lost track of time. I even forgot how old I was on my last birthday. Homeschooling a 13yr old daughter & having an 18 yr old son still at home takes up my home life time & all my other time is taken up visiting my husband, encouraging him & applying, reapplying & reapplying for Medicaid. Photo copying hundreds of papers, returning everything to Medicaid only to be told they need more. I feel lost, alone and totally forgotten anymore. I try very hard to find the good in each day. I tell myself, I woke up, That’s a blessing, then my day goes downhill from there.
When I try to find time to pray(I do constantly every minute of the day) read my Bible or other encouraging book, I’m sad to say, Most of the time I fall asleep. I don’t sleep at night. I try to put my faith in the Lord, but usually end of frustrated because I get mad at myself for failing…I try to believe it will get better, I’m doing exactly what the Lord wants me to do, But I find it hard to believe my failures & lack of faith serve any purpose………………
Donna – it sounds like you have a very heavy load to carry, and the last thing you need to feel like is a failure. God sees your frustration and your exhaustion, but He has not forgotten you. I pray He brings people into your life to help you know you are loved and valuable to them, and to God, and to support and encourage you as you walk this difficult phase of life. We all fall short of praying, bible reading, and being the type of christian we think we should be. But remember that the greatest commandment is to love others – and it seems that through your actions, you are pouring out love on others every day. God is not frustrated with you and does not see you as a failure – He loves you, and one day, will help you see great purpose blossoming up out of all that you’ve learned and experienced. Praying for peace and purpose and blessing to fill your heart.
I would give one to my BFF. We both have been through so much this year. And the title alone in my inbox today was worth it’s weight in gold. After a recent car accident which brought up every single thing that has happened to me, beyond my control, I find myself feeling on the edge. Or brink. Continuing to trust God in the journey…and trusting His faithfulness. Despite my feelings, circumstances and doubts. Happy Thanksgiving to you both! Thanks for a great post and giveaway.
I was widowed at age 38 with a 3 year old daughter and another adoption in the works when my husband died. I didn’t get Gods plan why now?? Years later I remarried a wonderful man and part of God’s plan unfolded. Now my dear sister in law is a widow as my brother passed away 6 months ago. Now I can use my experience as a widow to help her through it. Not the plan I would have chosen but obviously my plans are not HIS plans. So second copy of the book would go to her as she is really struggling right now.
Scripture teaches us that those who have been forgiven much love much. Sometimes, the more difficult our stories are, the more they have to offer others as they show the grace and redeeming love of our heavenly Father. Only the enemy wants us to wallow in the guilt of our past. God wants us to be free of it so that we can encourage others in the same way. This book looks wonderful! If I win, I would read it and then donate it to my church library. The second copy, I would give away to a blog reader. Thanks so much for the encouraging post and the chance to win.
This was a most eye opening blog for me. I have felt that my past has kept me from serving God the way I should, however my heart has always wanted to serve. I now realize that God allowed everything in my life in order for me to serve and by doing so, all the glory goes to Him. That truly makes my ‘heart happy’. That is what I tell my grand children when they want to come to my house. Thanks for the post it truly touched me and truly applies to my life.
Teri – your comment just blessed my heart. All too many of us think our past voids our worth in God’s eyes, when in fact it simply gives us new ways to serve Him out of what we’ve learned and overcome through Him. Thank you for sharing and my prayer is that we can all have happy hearts upon embracing God’s truths!
So need to read this book. I am struggling with my self worth due to several events that have happened over the past few years. I just feel like God and everyone have turned their back on me.
I have lots of fun reading
Would love to read the book and share. We are too hard on ourselves and must realize our worth. We are His prized possession! Thanks for the reminder.
I struggle daily with finding meaning for my life. But I’m fighting the battle everyday. I suffered great depression and thought daily of suicide. I have come a long way with Gods help and the help of a Christian counselor who never gave up on me. I hope that o can share my story and help someone who is where I used to be. There is a woman in my support group who just started to come that I would share thus book with.
I very much believe that God has a purpose for each and every one of us, but I can’t seem to figure out what mine is. It’s so true what was stated, I always look “forward” searching for my purpose and the idea of looking “back” makes a lot of sense. I grew up in a dysfunctional family and then married into a different type of dysfunction. I’m not sure how our children grew into the amazing people they became, but with God’s help we must have done okay on that front. I’m divorced now and still struggle with so many things even though I am a Christian and attend church most Sunday’s I feel that I missing my “calling” and I feel that God wants more from me.
I would gift the second copy to a dear friend that is going through a terrible divorce, one that took her completely by surprise. She isn’t sure whether she is a Christian or not and her soon to be ex-husband is a Catholic turned atheist who pushed her more toward his way of thinking throughout their marriage.
I’d share with Lydia ….. But I know this is a book that I really should read….