“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
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Well, Jessica, just letting you know I’m very proud of you, this is a New Beginning for you. I understand your addiction because I’ve been there.. God was really dealing me since the beginning of 2004. I was on CrystaMeth at those time and back-and-forth trying to do it on my own, that’s why he says you are nothing without me. and he sure got that right cause I was a baby in Christ, but the more I got to know him and surrender all and seen that movie passion of the Christ I begged and for Jesus to help me and overnight I was delivered and free from the addiction. I think Jesus for that and I know that he is smiling at you keep on keeping on and don’t give up. God is going to use you to help others that are on it as well and if they don’t receive it getting upset, shake the dust off your feet and keep going you did your partGod is the only one that can do the Rest. God bless you and keep you. 😃⚔️⚔️⚔️
PS I have been clean from crystalmeth for 20 years I give all the glory to God
To God be glory for His power to change lives and use us to testify of His goodness. Keep walking in faith and sharing your story of being enough for God!!!
Well DONE Valiant Jessica!!!
Thank you for your testimony!
You never have to be perfect, just keep going.
P.S. Valiant Shining Jessica, this was exactly what I needed to read today!
This was a great devotion, but I would love to have seen the pictures with it that didn’t show on the page.
To God be ALL the Glory! Thank you, Jessica, and others for sharing your story. A true testament to God’s hand and plan for our lives in the smallest beginnings. Our victory is in Him. God bless you as you continue on your path in your testimony bringing healing to others..
Thank you Lord, for small beginnings because you can and DO make all things new! I pray for my niece Cydney who is needs new friends and healing from her upbringing. 🧡 Help her Lord, restore her to your side. Speak to her out loud to run from temptation to the safe place which is you. Amen.
Wow! Thank you for THIS! I TRULY APPRECIATE YOU SO MUCH FOR your kindness and honesty 💖 I AM going through the same thing with Addiction And Backsliding! However I Surrendered LAST NIGHT! To Jesus Christ and The Father Most High. I TRULY BELIEVE in the process of Healing!!.