Before I drew my first breath, my life was in trouble. Most babies emerge into the world crying, I emerged silent. My mom, having just endured hours of excruciating labor and then an emergency vertical C-section in a remote military hospital, was worried the moment she heard the silence. The delivery was not easy for either one of us and as a result, both of my lungs collapsed while she desperately tried to deliver me. Heartbreak was the first response to my arrival and yet God was not deterred with the severity of the situation. Instead, He used a doctor and a few nurses that day to save my life and help me breathe. That day wouldn’t be the last day God would use others to help me breathe again.

When I read Ephesians 2:10, I sometimes think about my crazy entrance into this world and wonder, did Satan know the plans God had for my life? Was he trying to stop the work God was going to do through me? I’m not sure, but I delight in knowing that before I took my first breath, God was there and He was not going to allow His plans for my life to be thwarted. 

Not only did God go before me, but what I’ve seen through the years is how He has also equipped me for what He has called me to do. We know from Ephesians 2:8-9 that our salvation is by grace alone and not of works so that we cannot boast. Salvation is a free gift and not a transactional payment for our service to God. Understanding that God has gone before me, created me with just the personality, giftings, and passions to do some incredible work for Him not only excites me but humbles me at the same time. 

Understanding that God has gone before me to prepare these good works in advance in my life and has equipped me for them helps me stand stronger and maybe be a little braver in the midst of my battles. Make no mistake, God knows our futures and He knows exactly what we need for the days which lay ahead. 

Trust God on those days you don’t understand what is happening. Trust Him when anxiety fills your heart when you think about the future. Go back to what you know about God’s character and lean into the truth of who He is. You are not alone. God has specifically equipped you for this day, for this special time in history. Make Him your anchor and hold on tight. You are exactly the woman He wants to use right now to further His kingdom. He has prepared in advance this incredible work, at this exact time, and He has generously given you exactly what you need to play your part in the amazing redemption story which He is writing through our lives. 

So stay in God’s Word, make Jesus your anchor, and walk forward in faith. God will place people along your path, like He did mine, to help you breathe when some battles get so fierce you can’t seem to catch your breath. Never forget that God has lovingly equipped you for the task at hand. He chose you for this amazing good work which will showcase His love and redemption to a watching world in desperate need of Jesus.

 

Have you purchased your Faith over Perfection Bible study journal? Not only will you find all of the daily reading passages and SOAP journaling pages, but you’ll have each of the daily devotions in printed form–no need to check the app on your phone while working through your study!

Don’t forget, the Bridge Reading Plan is only available in the printed journals! The Bridge is a two-week long reading plan designed to bridge the gap between two studies. In the Faith over Perfection journal you’ll find the Bridge Reading Plan along with two weeks of SOAP journaling pages and daily Scripture reading! Don’t miss this! The Bridge reading plans will walk through the entire Book of Psalms during 2021. This plan is found only in the study journals, so grab one today! You don’t want to miss out!

When you purchase a journal, you are helping us reach women around the world with the gospel. By purchasing a journal you help our incredible team of volunteer translators build up leaders around the world. Your journal purchase allows women to read God’s Word in their native language and have access to quality Bible study materials in the language they best understand. We hope you’ll join us on our mission to make God’s Word accessible to women in every nation and in every language!

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Angela Perritt

Angela Perritt

Angela Perritt is the founder and director of LoveGodGreatly.com, a nonprofit online Bible study ministry reaching thousands of women in over two hundred countries around the world with God’s Word through their translated Bible studies. She and her husband live in Dallas, Texas with their three daughters. Angela is passionate about God’s Word and believes one woman in God’s Word can change a family, community and ultimately a nation. Her greatest joy is to encourage her children and others to love God greatly with their lives one day at a time. You can connect with her on Instagram.

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