Embracing Grace: A Journey of Faith

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Life can be a whirlwind of chaos, pain, and confusion. Yet, as Christians, we cling to one unshakable truth: God's grace. This grace has carried me through the darkest valleys and into the light of His love.

A Testimony of Transformation

In 2019, I lost my father, a heartbreak that left me feeling isolated and alone. The grief was profound, and it felt like a heavy cloud that I couldn't escape. My relationship with my mother was strained, adding to the emotional turmoil. Then, in 2023, I faced another devastating loss with the passing of my grandmother, a woman who had been a pillar of strength in my life. During this tumultuous period, I was deeply entangled in New Age witchcraft, seeking solace in practices that ultimately left me more vulnerable. I experienced severe demonic attacks and battled suicidal ideations. My heart was heavy with sorrow, and my mind was clouded by despair.

But God's grace found me in my darkest hour.

D.E.W. Tip: Daily Devotion - Start your day with a devotion. Reading the Bible and praying daily can set a positive tone for the rest of your day, helping you feel connected to God's presence.

God's Grace in Isolation and Sorrow

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18)

Amidst my grief and isolation, God's grace was a beacon of hope. Through prayer and seeking His presence, I began to feel His comforting embrace. It wasn't an instant transformation but a gradual process where God replaced my sorrow with His peace. Each prayer, each moment spent in His word, slowly mended the cracks in my heart. I realized that I wasn't truly alone; God was with me every step of the way.

D.E.W. Tip: Encourage - Encourage yourself and others with God's promises. Write down a few encouraging Bible verses and place them where you can see them throughout the day.

A New Heart Posture

Being a daughter of God means embracing His love and letting it transform every aspect of your life. I struggled with understanding my identity, often feeling unworthy and inadequate. But through God’s grace, my heart posture changed. I learned that my worth is not tied to my past mistakes or my efforts but in being His beloved child. This realization brought a profound sense of peace and purpose. My identity in Christ became the foundation upon which I built my life.

D.E.W. Tip: Worship - Take time each day to worship God. This can be through singing, listening to worship music, or simply expressing gratitude for His grace and love in your life.

Liberation from New Age Practices

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Leaving behind New Age practices was challenging. The allure of spiritual experiences was strong, but the emptiness they left was even stronger. These practices offered temporary relief but no lasting peace. I found true freedom and a renewed spirit in Christ only by surrendering to God's grace. The Holy Spirit began to guide me, filling the void that New Age practices could never satisfy. I started to experience the true joy and peace of knowing Christ.

D.E.W. Tip: Discern - Discern what aligns with God's Word. Regularly study the Bible to understand His truths, helping you recognize and reject false teachings.

Overcoming Suicidal Thoughts and Demonic Attacks

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7)

During my darkest moments, I was plagued by suicidal thoughts and demonic attacks. The battle was intense and often overwhelming. However, through constant prayer and the support of my church community, I overcame these battles. God's grace gave me the strength to fight and the assurance that His plans for me were for good, not for harm. My church family prayed with me, provided spiritual guidance, and reminded me of God's promises. Through this support, I regained my strength and clarity of mind.

D.E.W. Tip: Empower - Empower yourself with God's Word. Memorize and meditate on scriptures affirming your identity in Christ and His power over darkness.

Healing from Grief and Building Relationships

By God's grace, I have been empowered to establish healthy boundaries with my mom, dismantling the false expectations that once burdened our relationship. God's grace has been a guiding light as I navigated the profound grief of losing my father and grandmother. His boundless love has acted as a healing balm for my broken heart, allowing me to reconstruct a relationship with my mother.

Throughout this transformative journey, I have learned the invaluable lesson of forgiveness and gained the ability to perceive my mother through the lens of God's unfailing love. What was once a strained and challenging relationship has begun to mend. We have embarked on an open communication path, fostering a newfound sense of understanding and empathy.

Now, fortified by God's grace, I confidently approach our relationship, setting godly boundaries without fear of rejection. Through His love and guidance, I am empowered to navigate the complexities of familial dynamics with grace and resilience.

D.E.W. Tip: Wait - Be patient with yourself and others. Healing and relationship-building take time. Trust in God's timing and remain hopeful for His work.

Baptism and New Beginnings

Reflecting on my past, I recall the moment I underwent baptism during my junior year in high school. At that time, I sought cleansing without fully comprehending the profound significance of the act. Consequently, I soon found myself slipping back into sinful patterns, and my relationship with God reduced to mere convenience rather than recognizing Him as my true sustainer. It wasn't until nearly 14 years later, in 2023, amidst life's complexities, that I felt a genuine readiness to surrender my life to God.

This public declaration of faith began a new chapter in my spiritual journey. Baptism, this time around, held a deeper meaning for me—it represented the burial of my old self and the resurrection of a new life in Christ. It served as a tangible symbol of my sincere commitment to wholeheartedly follow Him.

By March 2024, I had become a church member, enveloped in an outpouring of unconditional love and support from my church community. Their embrace was wholehearted as they walked alongside me, nurturing my growth in faith and enriching my understanding of God's Word. Through their guidance and encouragement, I strengthened my relationship with God and wholeheartedly embraced His purpose for my life.

D.E.W. Tip: Engage - Get involved in your church community. Attend services, join a small group, and participate in church activities to build supportive relationships and grow spiritually.

Motherhood and Healing Mother Wounds

Becoming a mother brought up unresolved wounds from my past. Breaking the cycle and offering my children a different experience was a challenge. By surrendering these areas to God, I am learning to trust Him with my vulnerabilities and heal from my mother's wounds. God’s grace has enabled me to be a nurturing and loving mother despite the pain I experienced. I am committed to raising my children with the knowledge of God's love and grace.

D.E.W. Tip: Encourage - Encourage a healthy family environment. Create a space where open communication, forgiveness, and God's love are central to your family life.

Vulnerability and Trusting God

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

True transformation comes from being vulnerable to God and trusting Him with the hidden areas of my life. It’s about allowing His grace to penetrate every part of my heart and life. This vulnerability has deepened my relationship with God and has taught me to rely on His strength rather than my own. Trusting God has brought a new level of peace and confidence in His plans for my life.

D.E.W. Tip: Be open with God about your struggles and fears. In prayer, lay everything before Him and trust He will guide and support you.

Church Family and Healing

My church has been a vital part of my journey, providing leaders who help navigate church and life hurts. They have activated my God-given gifts and supported me through every step of my faith walk. Being part of a loving and supportive church community has been essential for my spiritual growth and healing. The leaders and members of my church have shown me what it means to live out God's grace in practical ways.

D.E.W. Tip: Walk - Walk alongside others in your church community. Offer and receive support, encouragement, and accountability to help each other grow in faith.

Conclusion

Ephesians 2:8-9 is more than just a verse; it's the essence of my story. God's grace has saved me, transformed me, and continues to guide me. It's a journey filled with challenges, hope, and redemption. Embracing grace means living differently, loving deeply, and walking humbly with God daily. Through daily devotion, encouragement, worship, discernment, empowerment, waiting, engaging, working, encouraging, opening, and walking with others, we can fully experience the transformative power of God's grace in our lives.