Today’s Post By: Rae Lynn DeAngelis
I often find myself rooting for the underdog in any given situation: sporting events, singing competitions, horse races, you name it. My heart soars when the underdog swoops in from behind and claims the victory. Something inside shouts, Amen!
What a difference it makes when someone believes in you—especially when you feel hopeless on your own. From personal experience, I know it makes all the difference in the world.
After God revealed my eating disorder (bulimia) was getting in the way of my relationship with Him, I realized I couldn’t keep it secret any longer. I finally confided in one of my best friends, and since that day, she has been one of my biggest supporters. She has continually believed in me and kept me focused on the other side of healing, giving me something to hope for after I broke free. She kept saying that God was going to use every bit of my murky past to bring glory and honor to Himself.
I couldn’t image how God could bring anything good from my many years of bondage, but my friend continued to speak truth into my life. She reminded me of the following promise from God in Isaiah:
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.” (Isaiah 61:1-3)
Jesus, the Great Physician, set me free, and He has now given me the responsibility to point others to that same freedom.
“They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.
They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.” (Isaiah 61:3-4)
God never leaves us empty handed. After we surrender all to Him, He uses every bit of our difficult past and exchanges our ashes for beauty.
I’m so grateful for my dear friend who believed in me. Do you know someone who could use your encouragement today? Keep speaking God’s truth into their life and let them know you believe in them. Even more importantly, remind them that God believes in them.
Keep rooting for the underdog!
“Everything is possible for him who believes.” (Mark 9:23b)
