Do not despise your small beginning.

December 31, 2024 30 Comments

“Do not despise small beginnings.” Zechariah 4:10

The picture on the right was taken back in 2015. It was during the time of my last incarceration. The sheriff’s office chose two inmates to share their testimonies with an alternative school in hopes of deterring them from making the same wrong choices and heading down a path of destruction.

During that time, I had only been saved for a matter of months, but the Lord still chose to send me out to be used by Him. I hadn’t yet learned what it meant to walk in victory; and I hadn’t yet learned what it meant to fully surrender. I wish I could say that after this picture I walked in total freedom, but sadly that was not so. A short time later, after being released, I fell back into addiction, and I fell hard.

The picture on the left was taken in 2021. Six years later, and almost 5 of those years clean and sober, the Lord is still sending me out to testify about Him.

The difference between this picture and the last, is that I have learned what it means to walk in total victory, and I do know what it means to fully surrender. I may not have realized it back then, but the Lord had a plan and purpose for every situation and hardship I went through.

You may not feel like much is happening in your life right now. You may have backslidden and feel you are too far gone. Or, you may just be starting out on your journey and desire to be used in greater ways.

Hold tight, my friend. Do not despise your small beginning. Hold fast to the promise that God WILL use ALL things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Your story may not be ending – but just beginning. Embrace the process.

Prayer: Lord, I pray for the ones reading this who have backslidden and feel they have blown your plan for their lives. I pray that guilt, shame, and condemnation would fall off of them in the name of Jesus. Thank you, Lord, that no one is ever too far gone for you to reach. Thank you, Lord, that the restoration process has already begun. Use their testimonies as a reminder of where you’ve brought them from and for your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

By Jessica Hanson Thompson, DOTK Writing Community

30 thoughts on “Do not despise your small beginning.”

  2. I been down that road n over 30 years ago now God’s had my hand.Theres a song called it is no secret what God can do what he’s done for others he will do for you.For our God is God on the mountain God in the valley God of the good times n God of the bad times God of the day n God of the night.

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  3. Powerful story and thank you for sharing! God is using you to embolden me to step out in faith to do a task He assigned me to do in public in my workout clothes and with messy hair. All for His Glory!

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  14. We’ll done. Sometimes doing is just letting God do. Sometimes doing God’s will is to do something even if it feels small. Thanks for your message.

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  18. Thank you for sharing your testimony. It is very encouraging. It reminds me that the Lord who begun a good work in us will complete it until the day of Jesus’ coming. Blessings, Shalom and Agape 👀🙏🏽♥️📖🙌🏽

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  19. Thank you for the testimony. I have made it to 4 years clean off of opiates and just everything. Went through the Adult teen challenge and begun starting working in Minstry/kind of sort of. I was super serious and just seem to lose my place. And give in. to sex and had one glass of wine and one shot for the new year and I really needed to read this

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  22. Because of You, I am redeemed! Thank you, Lord, for the small steps and small beginnings. Everyone no matter where they are in life can express how GREAT You are and talk about Your constant movement in their lives! Use me, Lord! I am ready 🙌🏽✝️♥️

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  23. Thanks so much for sharing your story. May God continually strengthen 💪 🤓, uplift, uphold and bless you in all facets of your life. Amen!
    Happy New Year to you and your family.

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  24. I am in tears 🙌 thank you for reminding me of the peace and surrender that is my birthright. And that my struggles are not in vain.

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  25. Good morning Father God, The most gracious God! Thank You for another new day! Thank You for giving me another chance to get it right! Use me Lord in away that will help others! I love You Father, I love You Jesus, I love You Holy Spirit! I pray in Jesus name, Amen! 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

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  27. To God Be All The Glory you have a Beautiful Testimony! I can relate very well because I have been on drugs,too but God delivered me from every addition and I’m grateful that God is Faithful and that He uses our pain and situations for His Glory! God bless you Woman Of God keep telling your Testimony!🙏🏾💯💪🏾🥰

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  29. Amen! Hallelujah! Thank You Jesus!
    Thank you Jessica for sharing your story, Beautiful testimony! May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ continue to get all the glory from your story. Blessings and Favor to you and your family.🙏🏾♥️♥️♥️🌹

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  30. This was much needed. This is an inspiration to me because I have found myself slipping back into my old ways and deep down I know that’s not where I want to be EVER again in my life

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