I had just turned 17 when I made a choice I will forever regret. With my broken heart buried beneath the heavy weight of shame, my choice ruled my life for many years. Years where I experienced more defeat that victory. Domino effect years leading me into deeper brokenness and unfulfilled purpose.

But it’s also a choice God used to teach me about His grace. About His love. And about His redemption.

It’s one that taught me I am made to brave regret.

“No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.” -Romans 8:37-38

What I learned was regret is good. But, regret untouched by the grace of God is not good. When we do not run to grace and fully embrace His gift, shame rules. And shame, my friends, leads us nowhere toward our purpose. Nowhere toward joy, hope, or peace.

We all make mistakes. We sin by what we do and what we do not do. It’s part of this life here as a human. But what we do with these mistakes is what matters.

When regret provokes a spirit of repentance, it is good.

When we are saddened by grieving the heart of God, it changes our direction. It points us to bravery. To living righteously as a child of God – in victory and purpose.

When we look back at many of our mistakes, we see how God didn’t leave us there in the pit of that mistake. He pulled us out, taking what was meant for evil and using it for good just as He told us in Genesis 50:20. And then He worked all things – not just the good things – but all things together for the good of us who love Him (Romans 8:28).

When we look back at many of our mistakes, we see how God didn't leave us there in the pit. Share on X

If I didn’t make that devastating choice when I was 17, I may never have fully grasped the grace and love of God.

I wouldn’t know the difference between living in shame and living in victory. Nor would I understand the wholeness that comes from living in the reflection of Christ versus living in the reflection of the world. I wouldn’t know my value or my worth. My ministry wouldn’t be what it is today.

I’d be lost.

So, friend, if there is something in your past you are holding onto. One that is pushing you down with the weight of shame. Would you look to Jesus and know you are made to brave regret? Because God’s power is with you and in you. His love covers you. And His grace welcomes you.

Let Him work the miracles in your life. He will take your broken and use it for something beautiful. What the enemy meant for harm, God will use for good.

You are not your mistakes. You are a courageous child of God called to brave regret and move forward in victory with Him.

You are not your mistakes. You are a courageous child of God called to brave regret and move forward in Victory with Him. #Hope #MadeForBrave Share on X

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As a wife, adoptive and biological mom, teacher, writer, speaker, and coach, Lori’s heart is to encourage others to meet the challenges of life with the hope of Christ. Wherever you find yourself today – walking through the difficult, longing to find your identity and follow your purpose, or simply experiencing a season of beautiful chaos, Lori’s blog found at www.LoriSchumaker.com is a place where you can find the encouragement you need today. In November she is releasing her first book as she shares her family’s adoption story and lessons on surrender, trust, and loving well. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest

 

Catch Up On Previous Made for Brave Stories…Here

Sisters, we are called to walk the way of hope instead of the way of defeat.  We must claim more than our title of “Daughter of the King.” We must step up and also claim our position.

And we must claim these together. As a sisterhood; a sisterhood of brave women who stand strong in the promises of who God is and who we are.

• We all are Made for Brave.
• We are made to live for something authentic and brave.
• In living brave, we silence the past, transform the future, and take a front row seat to God’s wild and uncontainable love!

So, I’m inviting you to join this Made for Brave Sisterhood, each Monday as we share our stories and allow God to bring hope and healing. Let’s commit to being authentic and brave, one step at a time, side by side, holding each other up and nudging each other toward our true selves. And let’s claim the victory waiting on the other side of brave; for ourselves and our sisterhood.

Let’s celebrate our tears and our struggles as we peel away the layers of fear to reveal the beauty of brave.

Let’s risk everything that brave requires for everything that brave has to offer…

Becoming who we were created to be!

In living brave, we silence the past, transform the future, and take a front row seat to God’s wild and uncontainable love! #MadeforBrave #Hope Share on X

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