From Trials to Triumph: A Journey of Faith
Summary
In my sermon today, I shared my personal journey, which began in North Carolina where I was raised in a Christian family. From a young age, I felt called to serve and protect, influenced by my family's background in ministry and public service. This calling was further solidified when my younger brother was arrested, pushing me to join the military as a police officer.
My military career started with enthusiasm but was soon marred by personal traumas including being mugged and raped by fellow officers. This led to a period of severe depression and destructive behavior. However, a life-saving phone call from my mother, who somehow found me at a payphone, redirected my path. Her timely intervention, guided by divine insight, prevented me from committing suicide and restored my faith and purpose.
I then dedicated myself to advocating for victims of sexual assault within the military, creating policies and programs that supported victims of sexual harassment and juvenile delinquency. My career progressed, but not without significant challenges, including witnessing horrific acts of violence and suffering personal attacks that necessitated my relocation overseas without my children.
Despite these hardships, my experiences only deepened my commitment to fighting for those who couldn't fight for themselves. I shared how these trials did not harden my heart but instead reinforced my dedication to service. My life, marked by numerous life-threatening situations, stands as a testament to God's grace and mercy.
After leaving the military, I founded a nonprofit organization, driven by a divine push despite my initial reluctance. This new chapter was about helping others, but it also led me into a challenging marriage that ended with me leaving to protect myself and my child after enduring abuse and a stroke that brought me to the brink of death.
Throughout these trials, I learned the importance of seeking help and the power of community support at Radiate Church. The encouragement and prayers from the church community were crucial in my recovery and in finding the strength to continue my mission.
This journey underscores several profound truths about God's love, the power of resilience, and the importance of community support in overcoming life's most daunting challenges.
### Key Takeaways
1. Divine Intervention is Timely and Transformative
At my lowest point, a seemingly impossible phone call from my mother prevented a tragic decision. This moment of divine intervention shows that God acts through others at precisely the right time, offering us a lifeline when we least expect but most need it. This teaches us to look for and appreciate the divine in everyday interactions and seemingly small gestures. [36:39]
2. Advocacy and Service as a Calling
Transforming personal pain into a platform for advocacy and change is not just healing but empowering. My work in creating support systems for victims of abuse within the military taught me that one person's efforts can lead to substantial systemic change. This calling is a profound way to serve God by serving others, turning our trials into testimonies of hope and resilience. [37:28]
3. The Power of Resilience and Renewal
Surviving numerous life-threatening situations and personal betrayals taught me that resilience is not just about surviving but thriving. Each challenge faced and overcome is a testament to God's grace. Our resilience is a gift that we can cultivate and use to inspire and help others in their times of need. [41:54]
4. The Impact of Community Support
During my recovery from a stroke and the end of a tumultuous marriage, the support I received from my church community was invaluable. This experience highlighted the importance of community in healing and growth. It's a reminder that we are never alone in our struggles; there is always a community ready to uplift and support us. [51:38]
5. Embracing Change and New Beginnings
Starting a nonprofit was a leap of faith that led to significant personal and professional growth. It taught me that embracing change, even when it's daunting, can lead to fulfilling God's purpose for our lives. This willingness to accept and lead change is crucial for anyone looking to make a difference in their community and beyond. [45:18]
### Chapters
0:00 - Welcome
32:25 - Early Military Challenges
35:11 - A Life-Saving Call
36:39 - Divine Intervention and Renewal
37:28 - Advocacy Begins
38:28 - Witnessing Horrors
41:09 - Life's Testaments
45:18 - Founding a Nonprofit
47:08 - Personal Struggles and Realizations
49:06 - Seeking Change and Healing
51:38 - Community Support and Recovery
53:37 - Concluding Reflections
55:33 - Overcoming and Moving Forward
56:25 - Learning from Pain
57:17 - God's Purpose in Our Trials
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Galatians 6:2 - "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
2. Romans 8:38-39 - "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."
3. Isaiah 41:10 - "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the pivotal moment that redirected April's life from despair to hope? ([35:11])
2. How did April's experiences in the military shape her commitment to advocacy and service? ([37:28])
3. What role did the church community play in April's recovery and ongoing mission? ([51:38])
4. How did April's understanding of God's grace and mercy evolve through her life-threatening experiences? ([41:54])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Galatians 6:2 relate to April's decision to start a nonprofit organization? ([45:18])
2. In what ways did April's story illustrate the truth of Romans 8:38-39, that nothing can separate us from the love of God? ([53:37])
3. How did Isaiah 41:10 manifest in April's life during her most challenging times? ([49:06])
4. What does April's journey teach us about the importance of seeking help and the power of community support? ([47:08])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced a moment of divine intervention. How did it change your perspective or direction in life? ([35:11])
2. April turned her personal pain into a platform for advocacy. Is there a personal struggle you have faced that you can transform into a mission to help others? ([37:28])
3. How can you actively support someone in your community who is going through a difficult time, similar to how April received support from her church community? ([51:38])
4. April's resilience was a testament to God's grace. How can you cultivate resilience in your own life, especially when facing significant challenges? ([41:54])
5. April's story emphasizes the importance of seeking help. Is there an area in your life where you need to seek help or support from others? ([47:08])
6. How can you be more attentive to the needs of those around you, ensuring that you are a source of support and encouragement, as April's mother was for her? ([35:11])
7. April's journey involved embracing change and new beginnings. Is there a change you are currently resisting that you need to embrace to fulfill God's purpose in your life? ([45:18])
Devotional
Day 1: Divine Timing in Our Darkest Moments
When life brings us to our knees, it's often difficult to see any way out of our despair. Yet, it is precisely in these moments that divine intervention can manifest most powerfully. Consider a time when all seemed lost, yet a seemingly small gesture or an unexpected call brought a glimmer of hope. These instances aren't mere coincidences; they are divine appointments. God uses people and circumstances to reach out to us, offering lifelines in our most desperate times. This divine timing not only saves but transforms lives, steering us back towards hope and faith. [36:39]
Psalm 34:17-18 ESV
"When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."
Reflection: Recall a moment when you experienced a 'lifeline' at a crucial time. How did this change your perspective on divine timing and intervention?
Day 2: Transforming Pain into Advocacy
Pain is not just a signal of harm; it can also be a catalyst for significant change. Transforming personal suffering into advocacy is a powerful journey of turning one's trials into a force for good. This process not only aids in personal healing but also empowers others who are in similar situations. By creating support systems and advocating for those who are often overlooked or silenced, one can channel pain into purpose, making a lasting impact on the world. This is not just service; it's a calling that fulfills a higher purpose, aligning personal passions with divine will. [37:28]
Isaiah 1:17 ESV
"Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause."
Reflection: Think about a personal struggle that could be transformed into advocacy. What are the first steps you could take to use your experience to help others?
Day 3: The Gift of Resilience
Resilience is a divine gift that enables us to withstand and emerge stronger from life's challenges. It is not merely about bouncing back but also about growing through adversity. Each challenge we face and overcome serves as a testament to God's grace in our lives. This resilience is not inherent but cultivated through faith, perseverance, and the support of our community. By embracing and sharing our stories of resilience, we inspire others to find strength in their own trials, fostering a community of mutual support and encouragement. [41:54]
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 ESV
"We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed."
Reflection: Identify a recent challenge you've faced. How did you respond, and what did you learn about your own resilience?
Day 4: The Healing Power of Community
The role of community in individual healing and growth cannot be overstated. During times of crisis, such as recovery from illness or personal upheaval, the support from a community provides strength and hope. This support can manifest in various forms—prayers, encouragement, or physical help. Being part of a community reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles. It is through this collective strength that individuals find the courage to face their challenges and the faith to continue moving forward. [51:38]
Galatians 6:2 ESV
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
Reflection: How can you actively contribute to or seek support from your community this week to foster healing and growth?
Day 5: Embracing Change for New Beginnings
Change is often daunting, but it is also ripe with possibilities for growth and fulfillment. Embracing change requires courage and faith, especially when it leads us into unknown territories. Starting a new venture, like a nonprofit, or stepping into a new role can be transformative, aligning us more closely with God's purpose for our lives. This willingness to accept and lead change is crucial for anyone looking to make a difference in their community and beyond. It teaches us that through change, we find new opportunities to serve and impact. [45:18]
Ecclesiastes 3:1 ESV
"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven."
Reflection: What change have you been resisting in your life? How can embracing this change lead to new beginnings and opportunities?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "I got to a point where my every action was about taking care of everybody. When God put it on my heart to start my nonprofit, I was afraid. I said, 'God, I have no desire whatsoever to take this on. This is bigger than me.' But He just kept running after me, chasing after me. Finally, I was like, okay, you win, let's do this." [45:18]
2. "I ended up in a marriage where I was being abused. My spouse cheated on me numerous times, but I convinced myself that I was being a good Christian by forgiving. What I really realized was that I didn't want other people to see me as a person in that situation because to the outside everything looked great." [47:08]
3. "If you don't have anything else to give, give kindness. Give love. Give genuine concern. The power associated with that is remarkable. Because of that, because of the warriors, because of the prayers, because of Pastor Travis, the angels that walk among us, we see them as regular people." [51:38]
4. "The enemy, the devil, will use anything at his disposal, whether it be family, finances, work, friends. He will exploit those things to get you isolated. He wants us isolated, afraid, without hope. Because as long as we're in that place, our mind is not in this place. And that place is, nothing can separate us from the love of God." [53:37]
### Quotes for Members
1. "That phone call saved my life. Because she had a word for me, a word from God. And she knew that it was imperative that she spoke to me. That let me know that God has something more in store for me. And that that wasn't the end of my story." [36:39]
2. "I started creating policies for the military, helping sexual assault victims, helping people, victims of sexual harassment. I created programs to help juvenile delinquency. And I just thought, this is it. This is what I'm supposed to be doing. Yes, this is what it's all about." [37:28]
3. "Every time I closed my eyes, my every dream is filled with horror. I've had to witness husbands killing their wives and killing themselves. I've had to attend autopsies of children being beaten to death by abusive parents. Those are not images that go away easily." [38:28]
4. "I have been abducted, shot at, assaulted numerous times. I've had so many life and death situations that there is no possible reason I should be here. Nothing but the grace of God. If I don't know anything else in this world, I know that my life is a testament to God's faithfulness, to His grace and to His mercy." [41:54]
5. "God loves us way too much to leave us where we are, in the messes that we create, more often than not. But He will rescue us. He will give us safe haven. He will give us love when we feel that there is no love. He will give us hope when we have no hope." [55:33]
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