When I was going through it, I often wondered if I’d survive, and I certainly didn’t dream anything good could ever come out of it. I couldn’t see into the future back then, my eyes were fixed on my pain. I thought I’d never feel good again.
But I was wrong — God had a plan to take the ashes of my situation and turn it into something better than I could imagine. Something that could help other people. My latest book was conceived in that period of my life.
In my past, as a result of a tsunami of painful events, I gained surprising benefits.
- I learned what true and deep compassion looks like, increasing the quality and numbers of my friends.
- I discovered a hurting heart doesn’t mean God hates me. Sometimes He’s so close it’s impossible to tell where I end and He begins.
- I found out that the Bible’s promises are absolutely true — if we dare to hold onto them when everything in the world says they doesn’t make sense.
- I realized I could endure more than I previously believed, when I gripped Jesus’ hand.
- I unearthed dreams that might have remained buried if I hadn’t gotten through things I’ll never get over.
Life can knock us to our knees. When it happens we have a choice. We can lay there in defeat, or we can believe God when He says, “I am with you, to the very end.” We can resolve to regain our footing, and holding onto Jesus, the true source of deep and permanent healing, take one step after the other. This is how I got through — this is how I ultimately walked back into the light, where pain-filled people laugh yet again.
I don’t know what you’re struggling with. I’ve now met people with a variety of stories. Some are based on financial crisis, some hurt because of betrayal, some struggle to make sense of a shocking diagnosis, some simply want peace to replace gaps in their relationships, while some are trying to cope after unimagined loss. The one thing we all have in common is that everyone hurts from time to time. Some are simply better at covering it than others.
If your heart is hurting, for any reason, let me leave you with this hope. Your pain is not necessarily punishment. It could be a catalyst for greater good. Teaching you empathy, the depth of God’s real love, how to trust Jesus when nothing makes sense, and offering you unique opportunities to find purpose through your pain.
Everything I write and speak on today comes through the lens of my past. A place of unimagined anguish, where God planned all along to transform it into something beautiful.
What about you? How might you help someone tomorrow based on what you’re going through today? Don’t let the darkness smother your potential — with Christ all things really are possible. I’m living proof.
Anita Fresh Faith
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NCV)
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is the Father who is full of mercy and all comfort. 4 He comforts us every time we have trouble, so when others have trouble, we can comfort them with the same comfort God gives us.
Photo Credit: Karen Barnes Jordan
Anita Brooks motivates others to dynamic break-throughs. Blending mind, heart, and spirit, as an Inspirational Business/Life Coach, International Speaker, and Common Trauma Expert.
Anita is also an award-winning author. Her titles include: Getting Through What You Can’t Get Over, Barbour Publishing, First Hired, Last Fired — How to Become Irreplaceable in Any Job Market, Leafwood Publishing, Death Defied-Life Defined: A Miracle Man’s Memoir, and contributor to The Change: Insights Into Self Empowerment Book #4. Her books are available at major and independent bookstores, Amazon, plus several online retailers.
She fulfills her mission to help 21st century women and men make fresh starts with fresh faith by sharing what she’s learned through experience, interviews, and research. Anita shares hope and encouragement on her Fresh Faith Inspirations podcast.
Anita’s favorite pastime is watching sunsets with her husband of 30 years, while they laugh and dip their toes in the water. Her favorite passion is inspiring others to transform battles into victories.
You can connect with Anita on Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, LinkedIn, or Twitter. Keep up with Anita’s latest happenings at anitabrooks.com. Email anita@anitabrooks.com to request information on having Anita inspirationally speak or train at your next event.
I just wanted to tell you how grateful I am to have read this book. It has made me realize steps i need to take to move past the painful parts of my life. Thank you