There is Hope in Turning Over

I was reading a story about a young black woman, Brenda, who was born of a white woman.  Her mother was attacked and raped by a black man in an elevator. Brenda was born in the South so it didn't make sense to her why her mother didn't give her up.  As a result of her color and birth, her mother's husband hated her from the beginning. He mistreated Brenda from the start. This isn't about racism, but it is about love and more.
Brenda lived a life of abuse, torment, and struggles. she felt like her head was painted with the words "Pick on me," or "Kick me," or "Hit me," or "Here I am." because that is all she ever got. She didn't know what it was like to have someone give her encouraging words or words of love and edification.
She grew up tough and it appears by her story, that she hardened her heart. She began using drugs, having sex and became pregnant. Brenda ended up getting mixed up with the wrong people and making the worse decisions for herself and her son.  Needless to say, she was on a road to self destruction.
Brenda married a man who would not allow her to go anywhere accept to work and get groceries. One day while at home, she began watching Fred Price on the TV. She prayed to God and asked Him to get her out of this relationship;six month later she was free.  Brenda began attending church and gave her life to Christ. Two weeks later, she was raped.  Brenda held onto some truths during this hard time. One of those truths was "all good things are from above."  She recognized  that this event was a result from Satan.
Brenda was on a road to recovery. She opened up to herself, to God, and to someone she trusted about all the ugly things that had happened to her as a child. Brenda learned to recognize that the things that happened to her as child was not her fault, she was not guilty, she was not the terrible and horrible person that she was lead to believe she was. Brenda began to seek professional help as well as pressing into God's word. Her life began to change. She still has struggles, but she knows where her help comes from. She knows who God is and has seen His face as she has turned her life and will over to His care and control.

Maybe you needed to read her story today. Perhaps you are out there  and you need to know that you are not who and what people say that you are. You are loved.

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.  And know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.

My friend, you have a purpose and it is not to be a punching bag for someone else, it is not to be a mat for people to walk all over you, but to be strong, courageous, and loved with an everlasting love.

~Be encouraged, you are a survivor.

B.A.S.E
Believe Jesus Christ died on the cross for you and show He was God by coming back to life.
(1 Corinthians 15:2-4)
Accept God's free forgiveness for your sin
(Romans 3:22)
Switch to God's plan for your life
(Mark 1:16; Romans 12:2
Express your desire for Christ to be the director of your life
(Romans 10:9)