Do you ever feel like you’ve messed up beyond repair? You know those things that weigh on your heart, the shadows of past regrets, failures and pain?
Romans 8:28 says that “God causes all things to work together for our good.” All things—that includes the hurtful decisions and the unfortunate events that are a part of your story.
How often have you looked at your past mistakes and lost hope, believing that as a result of your sin or the trauma you have experienced you have missed out on God’s call or plan for your life? Yet, that isn’t what God says about you!
The Lord takes EVERYTHING in our life and weaves it together to produce the blessing of His purpose.
So, how does God plan to redeem your story? Here are some points to consider:
1. It isn’t about you. The Lord takes your mistakes and those experiences that are negative and weaves it together into the revelation of who He is so that it produces power in your future. This is possible because of WHO HE IS, not because of what WE have done. Ecclesiastes 3:11 reminds us that “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” This includes your story—past, present and future.
2. Your life is a beautiful tapestry. The Lord takes all that the enemy throws against you, all that you’ve thrown against yourself, weaving it together into an intricate tapestry. Think about this: Jesus prayed for Peter. He didn’t pray that Peter would avoid stumbling. He prayed that after stumbling Peter’s faith would be strong and he would encourage his brothers (Luke 22:32). You know why? Jesus knew that it was far better to pray for the strengthening of Peter than to pray for the protection of Peter from his weaknesses, because the enemy would go after those weaknesses later. Your past sins and struggles are keys to your calling. Ask God how you can encourage and minister His grace to others through your past.
3. You can trust the Lord with your story. The devil will try to tell you that you are beyond God’s redemption, that you’ve fallen too far. Don’t give the enemy the benefit of a single minute of regret and emotional toxicity. The Lord is looking out for your best interest, all the time. He weaves together the pluses and the minuses, never doubt that. Know that He is faithful to complete the good work He began in you (Philippians 1:6).
Remember this: a negative and a positive must combine to produce power.
Redeem your story! Bring your burdens before the Lord in faith, and say, “Father, I thank you that You redeem all things, and that You are so brilliant You can work this into Your blueprint for my life and for my family, in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
What is your story? How has the Lord worked things—the positive and the negative—together for your good?
This is great. Just what I needed. God knows what I need to hear. Thank you.
I love the level 10 living. Too. I have ben reading the “becoming unstoppable” I bought it and got it before new years and I started reading news years Eve. I stopped and restarted last week. Your level 10 living videos are great. I feel like I made a mess of my career path and all kids of bad choices and I am older and really don’t know what to do. My favorite sweet pet died recently who was always by my side while I prayed and read. And now I’m lost!!!! I am born again for ma y years. But I am still stuck. And now depressed. But your insight is going to help me get to God’s path!
I feel the same way Ann Marie! I turn 64 this Sunday and feel like I have missed the boat with what the Lord could have done with my Life if I had been living for HIM and not myself….I’m sorry to hear of the passing of your sweet pet….May God richly bless you ♥️🙏🏻
What I think 🤔 is so amazing about the Lord is that I got the email at 5:12pm. That is my birthday. I was born 5/12/1972. Also after this weekend of Easter. Which I accepted the Lord 4/3/1994 this date was Easter that year.
Where God has me today is truly amazing. I will be 50 this year the year of jubilee in the Bible. There are many other biblical things corresponding with this birthday from the Bible.
I never thought I would be 50 years old. But by His grace and mercy alone I do have a STORY of redemption and grace.
Oh my, Lance. How very timely. I so needed this for seeing the value God sees in my story. After four abusive marriages, 50 years in a legalistic church cult, and a childhood of emotional abandonment, I see that I just have to write my memoir.
– Lindy Combs
Thank you! Good word. Loved a negative and a positive produce power. Before I read this, this morning I was thinking about God and what He has been saying to me through scripture and how some of my sins came through anger because of how I think. Then he reminded me of the scripture “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Philippians 4:8 NIV
My negative + Gods positive = power!
Thanks again. Timely words.
Thanks Lance for this today. Came right on time! We listen to the devil’s version or ‘take’ on our story far too often. And his methods are unchanged – he has been a liar from the beginning – “Did God really say x y or z?” – Yes satan it is written in the unchangeable Word that “God causes all things to work together for our good.” Our stories are written to bring Him glory but also for our eternal good, not necessarily for our temporary good. God is interested in eternity, satan is focused on the here and now and with good reason! Lord, help us to know your word, believe in it and base our thoughts and reflections on it. Forgive us when we so easily listen to the enemy of our souls. We repent of being focused on temporary relief and not on eternity and ‘the restoration of all things’ that is to come. Amen
This is so timely. I keep hearing double mindedness for the past 4 months, empath, i have a spirit of offense and I guess I’m basically screwed up. With those things against me, I have lost the will to fight and do ALL of the things the church says to do….deliverance, surrender (which I have), pray in tongues (which i have) and I just don’t know how to come out of this depression. Prayers would be wonderful.
The garment of praise removes the spirit of heaviness which is depression.
Praise him for what he has done in your life.
Will continue to pray over this!
All of those things the church has made you do seems to be more about certain rules and legalistic things which prevents us from having a relationship with Jesus who is ultimately delivers us.
It’s not about the things we do that deliver us but the relationship we have with Jesus.
I’ve never spoken in tongues yet I have had depression removed from me only because of my relationship with Jesus!
“To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.””
Isaiah 61:3 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/isa.61.3.NKJV
I messed up badly with my son, and now he isn’t communicating and is keeping his children from me. I have prayed and prayed, and I have tried to have faith. It’s been years, and I have received no help. It is devastating. Your post is comforting, but I don’t understand why it continues.
This is the word I have been given for your question.
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.”
James 1:2-3 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/jas.1.2-3.NKJV
He is producing patience within you and asking you to find joy in the waiting. Spend time in nature and his creation and you will find your mind in awe and heart open to him.
I’m sensing a spirit of unforgiveness and hurt which may be on both sides which can stop reconciliation.
Have you forgiven yourself for what happened?
Many in scripture waited years even decades before they saw the promises of God.
But when he makes a promise he will be faithful to complete it in his timing.
As hard as it is Praise him for everything he’s done for you in your life.
“To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.””
Isaiah 61:3 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/isa.61.3.NKJV
I will continue to keep praying over this for you!
I’m sorry you’re going through this. Is your son a believer? Have you repented and renounced any sin that led to the mistake? Have you written to him taking full responsibility for what you’ve done with no expectations on him to give you back anything? True repentance can lead to healing for you but may not change the consequences of any sin but many times I have also seen change. Sadly you can only do 50% of the relationship, if your son chooses never to reconcile after you’ve taken the above steps then you have to respect that. It’s hard to counsel without fully knowing what you did but there must be respected, mature Christians or counselors than can help you with what you can do?