Forgiven. Set Free. Loved.

I have had an eating disorder. 
I have struggled with substance abuse. 
I have been a victim of sexual assault. 
I have chosen abortion. 

I have. 
But these things do not define me. 

They are part of my story. 
But I am so much more. 

I once worried about what people would think of me if I said these words. 

I kept certain parts of my story locked away deep in my heart with no access to the key. 

I’m not worried about what people think of me anymore. 

I am forgiven. 
I am set free. 
I am loved. 

Nothing can change that. 

And if you have, I hope you know these things are true for you, too. 

There is nothing you have done that has surprised God. 
And He has loved you through it all. 

People may judge and people may be unkind, but God is full of love and mercy. 

And the beautiful thing is that once we unlock those guarded secrets from the depths of our heart and begin to share our stories, we hear the sound of other keys turning. Suddenly, there is a cry of, “That is part of my story, too.” And in that moment, as the veils are pulled back and we step forward with our truth, we know that not only has God been with us, but othres have walked these roads, too. 

Whatever choices you. have made. 
Whatever roads you have traveled. 
Whatever secrets you have locked away in your heart. 

You are not alone. 
You never have been. And you never will be.

We are forgiven. We are set free. We are loved. No matter what others may try to tell you. This is true.

And that is something to be excited about.

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39