14 Days of Praise & PositivitySample

From Darkness to Light

O LORD, You are my lamp. The LORD lights up my darkness. II SAMUEL 22:29 NLT

When I was living through the hardest season of my life, it didn’t really occur to me to ask God why. Deep down, I felt like I knew why: I had strayed from the will of God, I’d made bad choices, and I’d knowingly waltzed right into a toxic relationship that continued to get worse every day. I never prayed for guidance or signs or assurance as I began the relationship because, on some level, even then, I knew I was making a mistake. I didn’t start asking for God’s help until I needed Him to get me out. I knew I had gotten myself into the mess, but it was absolutely Jesus who saved my life and set me free. Looking back, the pain of this season broke me. And when my life was shattered into pieces, God built me back up and put me back together Humpty Dumpty style—only this time much stronger and much more resilient than I ever was before.

I praise God every day that He chose to save me from a life that wasn’t meant for me. I am gloriously happy each day that I get to wake up alive and in love—because, for a long time, I lived in fear that I wouldn’t. It’s amazing how differently you walk through life when God has so graciously given you a second chance. When you’ve experienced deep pain and suffering, and you’re still standing, you’re just grateful to be here. You discover that your circumstances don’t have to determine your joy.

Philippians is considered the happiest book in the Bible, but Paul wrote it from prison! Sometimes, enduring unimaginable pain can breed unimaginable positivity and perspective too. I’ve been told all my life that I sparkle or shine, but it wasn’t until the darkest of times that the light within me refused to burn out. Has God ever saved you from a bad decision or a hard season? Praise the Lord for that today.