Then we are called to be real, enjoy relationships and practice grace with others and with ourselves. And to not let the sin that easily entangles snare us. We are called to love, to share joy and to proclaim the name of Jesus.

Because that’s so easy to do every day, right?

Last weekend I attended the IF: Gathering at my church, and I am so grateful I made the time to go. This conference was actually located in Austin, Texas but was simulcasted all around the world. This conference was focused on women wrestling with finding and living out God’s purpose for our lives.

There were prominent teachers and leaders such as Jennie Allen, Jen Hatmaker, Angie Smith, Rebekah Lyons and Ann Voskamp that shared at the conference. And each woman challenged me in a new way and pushed me to really look at my heart. They challenged us to be the generation of women that love by the Bible. And live by the Bible. They questioned why we look so pointedly at divorce, cheating and murder with so much judgment but forget about slander, gossip and lying. When it comes down to it, they are all the same. Sin is sin.

I have gone through a lot of personal struggles and transformation the past few years, and it’s truly by the grace of God that I am where I am today. At the beginning of all of it, I don’t know that I found complete joy in my suffering, but now I do and I understand how God works in the suffering. I am so grateful for the intimate relationship I developed by relying on Him in the midst of trials. This conference reinforced that this is exactly how God works in our lives.

Like many, God has given me a life story that has been very unexpected. At the conference we had a time to share, and I felt God nudging me. So I got up in front of a room full of women and shared my story and how God has transformed my life and heart these past two years in the midst of unexpected situations. And it felt so good.

Lately I have seen God’s hand in my life in so many ways. This conference reminded me that I feel very fortunate to have connected with other women who are struggling. Struggling in relationships, in their marriages, with their self-worth, among many other things. It’s incredible to see how I can relate in new ways because I understand the deepness of the pain and know that God works the most when we think He might not be there at all.

And for each of these women, my heart just cries out to them…God is so much bigger than all of the things we struggle with! And I think to myself, who am I to speak words of truth into these women? Broken and learning to trust step by step. I am the best candidate there is! It’s so neat to see how God works in our lives.

As females, we are worthy. We are beautiful. And we are children created by God, and He has an incredible purpose for our lives. We are all broken and have our crap, but beautiful things happen when we share our struggles and challenge each other to accept truth and only truth.

I learned so much at this conference. God is real, and I am working on being real and living by the Bible. After running non-stop for months, this day and a half of soul-searching and asking questions was exactly what I needed to feel refreshed and rejuvenated.

What is God currently teaching you? Has He used a difficult situation in your life to transform your heart?

Angela