My Life, His Glory

A Testimony of Following Jesus

By Michelle Ogle on May 8th, 2018

   
     Have you ever considered all the blessings that the Lord has brought to your life? Have you ever looked back and realized you are where you are now, not because of some great thing you did, or because of your own abilities, but simply because God chose you and is pleased to work His purposes in you? That’s the testimony of a true Christ follower. For “my old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So, I live in this earthly body by trusting in Jesus, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Michelle Ogle understands this verse and shares her testimony below. As you read, may you see the power of God’s vast faithfulness, and know that it is His greatest desire to bring about the same goodness in YOUR life.
 
 

Before I came to know the Lord, my life was a mess. I had been through every kind of abuse there is, and trusting was very hard for me to do. My self-esteem wasn’t there, so I was looking for love in all the wrong places. I so desperately wanted to be loved and be accepted for who I am. I wore a mask to hide the pain, pretending everything was okay, but it wasn’t.

I also took blame for others and was accused for things that weren’t done or said. I wanted everyone to be happy, but I sacrificed my own sense of joy to make them so. At this point, I was so tired and drained, and was struggling heavily with depression. I just wanted to die. I remember asking God, “why am I here? Do you like seeing me suffer? I’m nothing, and just taking up space, so why don’t you let go?”

Then as a late teen, I went to church and there as a message about how God loves us and how His love is unconditional. That was something I had never experienced. I remember crying so hard as I made the decision to give my heart to the Lord that night. Of course, I still had many more trials and challenges, but now I knew God was there, and that made each one bearable.

I am so thankful that He showed me the way and sent godly people in my life during the right time. As my Christian walk got stronger, I saw God move in so many ways. I’m not saying it was easy, because it wasn’t, but I trusted in Jesus! Over the years, the Lord has gotten me through my hurts and pain. Life doesn’t seem so hard through reading and focusing on His everlasting goodness. He will see you through the storms and will move mountains on your behalf when you trust and believe in Him.

Here are some of the promises that I have clung to:

Hebrews 13:5 says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

                Psalms 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I AM God.”

Fear, hurt, and pain will keep you from doing what God has called us to do. We all have a purpose.

                Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me.”

                Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you’, declares the Lord. ‘Plans to prosper you and NOT to harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a FUTURE.”

I’m so glad He brought me out of my old self, and that He can use me to help others. I’m not afraid anymore. I can be who I am in Christ. He loves us every step of the way and will see us through, we just have to let Him. I can’t wait for what God has planned next. Don’t forget where you came from, because God can and will use your past to help those in your present.

With Hope and in Love,

A sister in Christ