If you’ve been reading this column or my blog for any period of time, you’ve probably realized that I love my little “mottos” or catch phrases.  Maybe that’s because I’m a writer, I’m not sure.  But I love when a phrase or a quote encompasses an important thought or lesson.  So I’ll apologize in advance for throwing one more at you right now.

I recently heard a pastor comment that God uses what was meant to stop you, to thrust you forward.

Let that sink in for a minute.

The things in life that were meant to stop you, paralyze you, frustrate you, discourage you, scare you and incapacitate you… God can take ALL of those things and use them for good.

Whether they were brought on you by Satan’s attacks or you brought them on yourself by your own poor choices (gotta love free will!), God can flip around even the worst of situations and use it to thrust you – and others – forward.

Again, if you’ve read my blog, you probably already know my story.  But for those of you that don’t, in a nutshell… I went through a series of pretty traumatic events in just a few years.  I was in an abusive relationship, my father passed away, my mother passed away, my health took a nosedive and a few other things… pretty much all at once.

But even though any ONE of those things (much less all of them) could have sent me into a downward spiral, destroyed me and made me give up hope… they didn’t.  Not because of my own strength.  But because of God’s grace.

And He didn’t stop there.

God not only delivered me from the pain, confusion and sadness of those situations… but He used them to strengthen, encourage and shape me.  And more importantly, He is using them to help others.

What could’ve stopped me has instead, thrust me forward.  Into a position of immense gratitude and joy.  It thrust me into a life where I get to do what I love every day, where I get to reach others and help them in ways that still amaze me, and where fear has been replaced by peace.

God won’t necessarily protect you from hurts in your life.  Bad things will still happen.  But the good news is they don’t have to stop you.

God can (and will) use what was meant to stop you, to thrust you forward.

All you have to do is trust and let Him.