Who you are and who you can be emerges from the ashes of what you’ve been through.

Hold on. Let me back up a minute…

We all have hurts. And hurts CHANGE us. We may not like it, but it’s true. Our difficult experiences influence our attitudes and decisions. They certainly don’t define us, but they become a part of us.

So the question we need to ask ourselves is this: Are we going to let our hurts change us for better, or for worse?

Psalm 143 highlights how David asked God for guidance, growth and level ground. He trusted that God could do it, even in the midst of his many problems. After having cried out to God for mercy (verse 1) with a failing spirit (verse 7), he prayed: “Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life” (verse 8). In verse 10 he continues: “Teach me to do your will… lead me on level ground.”

It’s a helpful perspective for all of us: To let your hurts to change you for better (and not for worse), ask God for guidance, growth and level ground, trusting that he will do it, even in the midst of your many problems.

Hurt is a part of life—but it doesn’t need to be the defining part. It certainly didn’t define David. And it doesn’t need to define you either.

That’s why who you are and who you can be emerges from the ashes of what you’ve been through.

With the right perspective, and by calling on God for help, you can emerge from the ashes of what you’ve been through with God’s guidance, growth and on level ground.

By Matthew Ruttan

–Today’s “Up!” is based on my MOST RECENT PODCAST: “Emerging from the ashes of what you’ve been through.” Listen in to the 25-minute message here. Enjoy!
–Bible quotes are from the NIV.