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GOD can use your Mess!! Finding Strength and Purpose Through Faith: Transforming Our Challenges into Opportunities

Writer's picture: Dondee & Marci NettlesDondee & Marci Nettles


From child abuse, sexual assault, being a child of divorce to being divorced, losing your career, losing your child or your spouse, losing hope, injuries, disease, a child in crisis addicted to drugs, not being able to pay your bills, losing your confidence, and spinning in a downward spiral, you may find yourself wondering, why has God let all this happen to you?

Hi there, my name is Marci Nettles and I too have found myself in the place of wondering why God let so many things happen to me and let so many bad things happen to good people around me. As I have walked through my healing and grown my personal relationship with God, I have learned so many things around this subject to include. God is always good and He always loves us so much, yet He gave us free agency because He wanted us to choose Him.


The Gift of Free Agency

God was not going to force us to do what He wanted for us, even though He had the power and He could have. What this means is that we always have a choice in everything that comes to us, good and bad. It also means that everyone around us has their own free agency and that oftentimes is where the pain comes from for us, from the choices others made, not God.


There is also always a choice of perspective on everything from waking up in a good mood to choosing to see the positive first before the negative of any given situation, including choosing to know that life happens for us, not to us. None of the bad things in our lives were planned out. Some of it came due to others' free agency and others came due to time.

Death, for example, can be a result of free agency, the bad choices by people, or a result of it being your loved one's time. Each one of us has a set number of days on this earth and the only one who knows the exact time our days will come and be complete is God. This brings the concept of life happening for you, not to you.


Seeing God's Presence in Pain

When you are in the middle of your difficulty and pain, it can be really hard to see the good that can come out of it. Yet, if we focus on God and knowing He is always good and working things out for us, we can, as we mature, start to see what God will be able to use from the situation we are going through. As a personal example, the grief cluster that I have previously shared in my blog titled, "I Didn't Heal From Grief Until Age 49," was used by the enemy to create foundational beliefs I had about myself that would be the cornerstone of where I made decisions for the first 40 years of my life.



These beliefs were: I don't matter, nobody cares, so why should I say no? This was before I knew Jesus. If you haven't seen that video yet, please go and watch so you have a better idea of what happens when you look at struggles as something that happens to you. Now, as I have been blessed with a strong relationship with Christ, I have been able to look back and see how God was with me every step of the way. I can now see how each one of the horrible, very bad, no-good times in my life actually played a primary role in building me into the woman I am today, who is here sharing with you.


The Bags of Gold

I know that everything I have been through in my life has happened for me. As a matter of fact, just last week when we were in church, at the end of the service, our pastor had many of his prayer partners praying for those of us that wanted a new level of anointing on our lives. A man we honor and greatly cherish came to my husband, Donde, and me and asked if he could pray for us.

During the prayer, God showed him the difficulties I have been through and in amazement, he said, each one of those things that were so painful to you are now a bag of gold. Bags of gold that make me so valuable to the kingdom and to God. I was told to pick up those bags and use them wisely to help others.

This prayer confirmed to me the calling God has on my life to help other maturing ladies understand their value. The things the enemy meant to break you have done the opposite. They have given you the opportunity to be more valuable if you choose.

The choice is yours. Will you use your experiences, or will you let them use you? It really comes down to whether you choose life or are you choosing death. That is what it boils down to. Now, if you focus on the world and how you feel, you will experience a downward spiral that is a living death.


Choosing Life

If you choose to focus on God and His promises, you are choosing life for now and for eternity. I choose life and I pray that you'll choose life with me. Let's explore four ways the Bible portrays God's heart around transforming our messes into messages of His goodness.


1. Redemption

There are many stories in the Bible that showcase God taking broken situations and people and redeeming them. A couple of examples are when Joseph was betrayed by his brothers when they sold him into slavery in Egypt, where God elevates him into the ruling class where he ends up saving his family from a famine in their lands.

You can read the full story in Genesis 37-50 of how God took the mess Joseph found himself in and turned it into a message of the goodness of God. Then, there's the story of the Exodus, where the Israelites that were freed from slavery and led through the parting of the Red Sea become a beacon of God's power and justice. These stories show God's ability to bring good out of our suffering when people listen and act when He speaks.


2. Grace

God's forgiveness and love are undeserved gifts, as it says in Romans 3:23-24: "For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard, yet God in His grace freely makes us right in His sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when He freed us from the penalty for our sins." In 1 Corinthians 15:9, we see Saul, who became Apostle Paul, who persecuted Christians before becoming a powerful advocate, exemplified God's willingness to use anyone, regardless of their past.


3. Transformation

God doesn't leave us in our mess. He works through challenges to refine us, making us more like Him, as it says in Romans 8:28-29. Our struggles can become opportunities for spiritual growth, demonstrating the transforming power of faith.


4. Hope

Difficulties don't signal the end of God's plan. The Bible offers hope that even in the darkest times, God is working for our good. Jeremiah 29:11 is one of the verses that I cling to: "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."Overcoming challenges with faith becomes a testament to God's enduring hope. These things show God's unwavering love and purpose, even in the midst of our struggles. Our mess can become a powerful testimony to God's ability to redeem, forgive, transform, and bring hope.


Faith as the Foundation

The Bible emphasizes faith in God as the cornerstone of overcoming challenges. It's not blind optimism, but a deep trust in God's presence, love, and ultimate plan. Passages like Psalm 27:1 declare, "The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear?" This unwavering trust allows us to face difficulties with courage and find hope, even in the darkest moments.

Having faith in God's plan and purpose provides a foundation of hope and perseverance. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Trusting in God's guidance allows us to face difficulties with a sense of peace and direction.


God's Strength Through Us

We are not meant to weather storms alone. The Bible assures us that God's strength flows through us. Philippians 4:13 is a powerful verse that states, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." This doesn't mean difficulties become easy, but with God's help, we can face them with resilience and emerge stronger.


Trials Refine Us

The Bible uses the metaphor of fire to represent trials. In 1 Peter 1:6-7 it states, "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer in various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that perishes through refined fire, may result in praise and glory in honor of the revelation of Jesus Christ." Just as fire purifies gold, difficulties can refine our character and strengthen our faith.

James 1:2-4 elaborates, "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance, and let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." Struggles, when approached with faith, can refine our character, develop perseverance, and ultimately make us better equipped to help others facing similar challenges.


God's Perspective on Suffering

The Bible acknowledges that struggles leave their mark. However, these scars can become sources of wisdom and empathy. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 describes God as "the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort we ourselves were comforted by God." Having walked through difficulties ourselves, we can gain a deeper understanding of what others face and can offer genuine support.

Our struggles equip us to become beacons of hope and strength for those going through similar challenges. The Bible also acknowledges that suffering is not God's desire, but it can be used for good. Romans 8:28 reminds us, "And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."

Difficulties can lead us closer to God, deepen our compassion for others, and even inspire us to create positive change in the world.


The Power of Prayer

Prayer is a powerful tool for communication with God. Philippians 4:6-7 instructs us, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Prayer allows us to express our anxieties, seek strength, and receive God's peace during challenging times.


Community and Support

The Bible emphasizes the importance of community during challenging times. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 highlights this beautifully: "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, and has no one to lift him up."

Surrounding ourselves with supportive, faith-filled people offers encouragement, practical help, and a shared understanding of the challenges we face. Galatians 6:2 also states, "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." Surrounding ourselves with supportive and faith-filled individuals provides encouragement, strength, and practical help during challenging times.


Hope Anchors Us

Even in the midst of difficulties, the Bible offers unwavering hope. Romans 15:13 says, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." This hope is not a fleeting wish, but a confident expectation of God's goodness and faithfulness, even when the path seems unclear.

It is this hope that keeps us moving forward and inspires us to help others find strength in their own struggles. These are just a few of the many examples found in the Bible that can guide us through difficult times. By relying on faith, seeking God's strength, finding purpose in trials, maintaining a God-centered perspective, embracing prayer, building a supportive community, and holding onto hope, we can not only overcome challenges but emerge stronger, more compassionate individuals ready to uplift those around us.


Embracing Our Challenges

So remember, for every challenge you face, you can choose for it to become a bag of gold that you can use to promote the kingdom by being a more valuable tool in God's hands.


Embracing Our Identity in Christ

As we continue to reflect on the ways faith can transform our lives, it's essential to remember what God says about us. In moments of doubt and difficulty, holding onto these truths can provide immense strength and reassurance. Here are some powerful affirmations from God about who we are and what we are capable of through Him.



So before I finish, I want to share an amazing book with you that I have been reading and really leaning into. It's called Choose Life! Unlocking Generational Blessings by Making Spirit- Powered Decisions that Align with Biblical Principles.It's written by Dr. Marion Ingegneri. In this book, she shares many of the difficulties she has faced in her life, and towards the end, she shares one where she was calling out to God and He told her to prophesy over herself. So she did. I would like to share with you what she titled God Says About You, and I highly recommend you grab your book for yourself. So, what God says about you.


Affirmations of God's Promises

  • Prosperity and Purpose: "God says about you that you may prosper. In His name, you are called to go into all the world and make disciples."

  • Righteousness and Love: "God says about you that you are made right before Him and are deeply loved by Him."

  • Ministers of Reconciliation: "God says about you that you are a minister of reconciliation, bringing peace and unity to those around you."

  • Strength and Choice: "God says about you that you are strong and not weak. You have choices and can choose life."

  • Freedom and Transformation: "God says about you that you may walk in freedom, taking off the grave clothes and living unbound."

  • Children of God: "God says about you that you are a child of God, called to preach the good news."

  • Breaking Chains: "God says about you that you have the power to break the chains that bind you."

  • Set Apart: "God says about you that you are a peculiar people, set aside for His purposes."

  • Forgiveness and Wholeness: "God says about you that you are forgiven and made whole."

  • Fruitfulness: "God says about you that you are like a well-watered tree, fruitful and thriving."

  • Joy and Prophecy: "God says about you that you can dance in freedom and prophesy."

  • Peace and Sound Mind: "God says about you that you have been given a spirit of peace and a sound mind."

  • Faith, Hope, and Love: "God says about you that you may have faith, hope, and love."

  • God's Attention: "God says about you that your name is on His lips. He is the lifter of your head and gives you great courage."

  • Prosperity Plans: "God says about you that He has a plan for your future to prosper."

  • God's Care: "God says about you that He knows the number of hairs on your head and will make your path straight."

  • Anointing and Everlasting Love: "God says about you that you are anointed and loved with everlasting love."

  • Opened Doors: "God says about you that He has opened doors for you and equipped you."

  • Perfectly Formed: "God says about you that you were perfectly formed in your mother’s womb."

  • Mountain Mover: "God says about you that you can move mountains and live rightly before Him."

  • Head and Not the Tail: "God says about you that you are the head and not the tail."

  • New Name: "God says about you that you have been given a new name and are His workmanship, created for good works to walk in them."


Choosing Life

Each one of us has the power to prophesy over our lives and the lives of our families. By embracing these affirmations, we choose life, aligning ourselves with God's vision and promises for us. Remember, God loves you immensely, and so do I. Let these truths permeate your heart and guide your steps.


Final Encouragement

Before we conclude, I want to remind you about the amazing book that I have been reading and leaning into. It's called Choose Life! Unlocking Generational Blessings by Making Spirit-Powered Decisions that Align with Biblical Principles by Dr. Marion Ingegneri. In this book, she shares many of the difficulties she has faced and how she found strength in God's promises. I highly recommend you get a copy for yourself.


Share this message with someone you love and care about. Your life and testimony can make a profound difference.


Thank you, and God bless you.


- Marci

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