When I was two months old, my parents proudly took me to our family church to be dedicated to God. Before the pastor prayed over me, he uttered words my parents felt were prophetic: “This little girl has been born to be a bulwark against sin and the devil.”

Fourteen years later, my life was anything but a bulwark or defense against evil. By 22, I was a hopeless drug addict. The little girl who carried a baby doll with her at all times by then had experienced five abortions and a complete hysterectomy.

I was angry with God, though I knew it was my own rebellion that took my dreams away. To fill the hurt and void I went deeper into alcohol and drugs, and at 27 ended an abusive marriage through divorce. I felt so sinful and hopeless that God would not hear my prayers.

Do you feel like your prayers hit the ceiling? The enemy of your soul reminds you of your sins and says you are not good enough for God to hear your prayers. Can you identify with David when he cried, “How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?” (Ps. 13:1).

God is not playing some high-stakes hiding game with us. In fact, He says in Hebrews 13:5, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” My husband showed me the meaning of never in Greek as used in this verse. He suggested the verse should read like this: “I will never, not at all, by no means, in no case, not ever, not at all in any wise leave you, and I will never, not at all, by no means, in no case, not ever, not at all in any wise forsake you.” It is settled in heaven and in the mind of God. He will never leave you!

At 31, my night turned into day when God’s light of salvation came into my life. Perhaps you feel in the dark, in a situation so awful you can’t solve it and God doesn’t see you. I have good news: Jesus has come right now and He’s caused you to read my letter. “The Lord upholds all who fall, and raises up all who are bowed down” (Ps. 145:14). When you are down, when heaven feels like brass, and the enemy is whispering in your ear, proclaim Micah 7:8.

What you are going through now may mean God is teaching you, getting you ready for a special work. Hebrews 12:6-8 proclaims: “For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.’ If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening…then you are illegitimate and not sons.” All God’s children must go through times of training. The Word declares that even the trial of our faith is more precious than gold (see 1 Pet. 1:7).

I have been put back together, forgiven of all my sins, delivered from drugs and alcohol, given a wonderful home, husband, and a ministry beyond my wildest dream.

Woman of Destiny, your time has come – you will arise!