It didn’t take long to come up with a name for our new team. We all got excited about having the name Chi Rho, which represents victory from what Christ did on the cross. Each one of us on the team has our own story of victory. It is beautiful. Victory is something I am thankful to be walking in.
Victory of the lies that were spoken over me. I was told that I wasn’t enough. I struggled with those lies for 2 years. That if I had been more beautiful, more exciting, more everything then my husband wouldn't have left me. That I just wasn’t worth it.God didn’t let me stay there though. He spoke louder than those lies. He spoke over me my value and worth. I can think back on those lies and with a smile say “that is the biggest load of crap.” I have a God who says I am worth everything. I am cherished. I have captured the heart of my God. Each day I find ways that God uses me – my qualities, skills, even weaknesses – for His higher purpose.
Victory in forgiveness. Forgiveness is the sweetest gift both to give and to receive. I have always been so thankful for the fact that no matter how much I screw up or disregard God or reject Him and choose sin over Him that I can be forgiven and bask in His sweet love. I have now also been able to enjoy forgiveness in another way – in choosing to forgive. It has allowed me to be free from the chains of bitterness and from justifying having that bitterness and resentment because of my circumstances. I have found so much peace and joy in the freedom of allowing forgiveness to take hold of my heart.
Victory in seeing the amazing goodness that has come from walking through such a trial and being able to give thanks for that. I am SO thankful! To be able to see where God has taken me – from being in a place wrought with mess and pain to a place of beauty and hope. I've been able to witness firsthand God's faithfulness. I am experiencing everyday His promise to do immeasurably more in my life than I could possibly imagine.
I go to Psalm 40 almost daily and read the first few verses which are underlined in my Bible because it speaks of my story of victory.
"I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in Him."
