"I was sexually abused as a young girl. I was told I most likely wouldn't be able to have children. I was told that a woman called to ministry didn't have many options. Destruction. Disappointment. Defeat. I've felt them all. BUT...God. He restores. He gives hope. He is victorious. According to Ephesians 3:20, God is "able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us." And, I've experienced this promise time and time again. I was abused, but now I am healed from shame and pain. I could be bitter or have been afraid of marriage. Instead, my husband and I just celebrated thirteen years together. It hasn't been easy, but God has taught me exceedingly more and given me abundantly more through the gift of marriage than I could have imagined. I was told I couldn't have children, but God helped me to transition from fear to faith. I finally came to a point where I was able to trust that He had a plan even if it wasn't my plan. Four years into our marriage, I was scheduled for surgery. Right before administering the anesthesia, we were told they couldn't perform the surgery...because I was pregnant! I endured seven weeks of brutal bed rest, but we had a healthy baby girl. Four years later we had a healthy baby boy. Despite a diagnosis, my God did exceedingly abundantly above all that I could ask. I was told there weren't many options for a woman called to Ministry, but He has opened just the right doors over the last eighteen years. It's been a journey, but each step has prepared me for the next. Hard moments still occur. I still hear things that aren't truth. I struggle. I fail. Not every difficulty ends the way I want or with a resounding yes to my prayers. And I know now, there's a gift from Him in that as well. When life gets difficult, I press into what I know now to be true. He is able. He is able to make all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. YOU. You are called according to His purpose. He wants you to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. He loved you enough to create you. He loves you enough to invite you into a relationship with Him. And there's nothing better. His love...it exceeds your imagination. His love...it's abundant and it's available to you. And when you receive it, you won't be able to contain it." Jenn Long serves as the Discipleship Pastor at nineteen:ten church. Connect with her at facebook.com/rescuedjennlong/