By Grace Valentine Gagnon
“Even if I walk through a valley as dark as the grave, I will not be afraid of any danger, because
You are with me. Your rod and staff comfort me.”
Psalm 23:4 (ERV)
When I look back on my life, I see the evidence of God’s faithfulness, mercy, and grace. He can
take the worst of circumstances and turn it into something beautiful and significant. Even in the
storm or darkness, His light shines forth and He walks beside me.
He gives us beauty for ashes, and we have new beginnings in Jesus.
Having gone through physical abuse, sexual assault, teenage pregnancy, forced abortion,
domestic violence, trauma, sleep paralysis, betrayal, divorce, heartbreak, PTSD, abandonment,
single motherhood, and mental stress, I am extremely grateful that I can still look forward with
hope and confidence. Jesus is my rescue story, my Redeemer!
In every season—with every challenge, on the mountaintops, and in the valleys, God is with us.
He can turn things around. He did it for me and will do it for you too.
We may not always have the answer, closure, understanding, or step-by-step instruction we want.
However, we can trust His character, goodness, and sovereignty. We can face each day with
courage because God has the final say.
Nothing can happen in your life unless God allows it. Everything has to pass through His hands
first. Even when challenging, difficult, or painful times come, God is still in control. You matter
to Him and you are His.
When trials, heartbreaks, setbacks, and tragedies occur, it does not always mean that you have
done something wrong or God is punishing you. In such difficult situations, we can ask the Holy
Spirit to show us what lessons there are to be learned. We can say, “Lord, show me where You
are in this.”
We can ask ourselves: how is God working in my life, how can I grow through what I go
through?
Dear friends, what are you facing today? In the uncertainty, chaos, silence, or waiting, you can
still hope in the Lord. His mercies are new every morning. His plans for you are good and you
can turn to Him. Rely on Him and know that He will come through for you!
“Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait
patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.”
Psalm 27:13-14 (NLT)
Just like the title of my upcoming memoir, take heart in knowing that YOUR STORY ISN’T
OVER YET!
You can learn more about Grace Valentine Gagnon in her upcoming Memoir Your Story Isn’t Over Yet , releasing this Spring through Ambassador International. Follow her on Facebook.
