When Sheri Rose Shepherd’s life shattered into pieces, she was left with a choice. Would she give her pain to God or try to pick up the pieces in her own strength? Don’t miss this — as Sheri Rose shares her experience of moving from shattered devastation to divine rescue. It’s often in our most desperate moments that God does some of His most transformative work in our hearts and lives. It’s a grace to welcome Sheri Rose to the farm’s porch today …
guest post by Sheri Rose Shepherd
Five years ago, my life completely shattered right before my eyes.
After 25 years of ministry I was diagnosed with stage four cancer and given eight weeks to live; my marriage fell apart; my mom got cancer and moved in, and I took care of her while I was fighting cancer myself—
in addition to some personal things that happened that are too painful to even put into words.
As devastated, broken, and desperate as I was feeling at that time, I’ve discovered: There is life after shattering devastation.
Today, through Christ, my joy has been restored and a new season has begun.
When my whole world came crumbling down and the enemy broke into my life, his goal wasn’t just to steal something, it was to steal everything—including my faith in God.
John 10:10 tells us the thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy, but Jesus’ purpose is to give us a rich and satisfying life, new life.
The pain felt impossible to bear, impossible to process. I became desperate to find a piece of myself.
I even tried using the painful pieces of the enemy’s work, believing I could make something beautiful out of the devastation, kind of like a stained-glass window.
It was hard to recognize while I was going through it, but now I can see that I was trying to rebuild from the painful pieces I felt were beyond repair—in my own strength.
I ended up creating a stained-glass memorial which became a continual reminder of the death and destruction from the devil.
It was hard to let go and let God throw away the old pieces of my past that were beyond repair.
But the truth is, as long as I continued trying to piece my life back together with the shattered pieces of the enemy’s work, I would remain in pain.
I eventually reached a point where I needed to allow my Heavenly Father to install a brand new, beautiful window so I could see His goodness and not Satan’s destruction.
I threw out the memorials of the enemy’s work; those died when Jesus died on the cross! The truth is, our Savior paid too high a price on the cross for us to live powerless lives. I can decide to live the life I have now because today is all I have!
Isaiah 43:18-19 says, “But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”
I’ve learned one of the hardest ways to live life is to try to plan my own course. I may think that I am in control of my own destiny, but it is God alone who holds my life in His hands. The sweetest life is the one surrendered to the Lord’s plan.
Jeremiah 10:23 says, “I know, Lord, that our lives are not our own.”
I don’t need to fear anything in this world. When I’m devastated or discouraged and wondering if God is with me, I can ask Him to reveal Himself and strengthen me. No matter how often I ask, God will help me because He never grows weary of me needing Him.
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10, NLT
When everything is removed and God is all I have, I find that God is all I need.
Nothing feels better than waking up refreshed after a good night’s sleep. God wants me to wake up every morning knowing that He has covered what happened yesterday and holds in His hands what will happen today.
If I really trust the Lord, I will embrace the fresh start He extends to me each day and choose to live in the freedom a fresh start offers.
God is a powerful God, but He is also a personal God whose love lasts forever.
I never have to be afraid of His love running out.
God’s love is like a fountain that flows endlessly. Praise God for His goodness!
Even in the painful places of heartache and despair, I’ll never lose my way when I follow God’s directions.
Sheri Rose Shepherd is the bestselling author of the His Princess books, a beloved speaker, an online Bible life coach, and the author of the THRIVE Bible devotional content.
Tyndale’s THRIVE Devotional Bible for Women has daily devotionals and other special features written by Sheri Rose Shepherd to help women draw near to God through His Word. It is available in regular or wide-margin editions.
God’s plan for us is that we will thrive by having a deep relationship with Him, turning to Him every day and relying on Him for each need. Whether we need comfort, hope, rest, renewed vision, or someone to share our day with, God is always there for us. God communicates with us in many ways, but He has given us a special book—the Bible—filled with His words to help us know and understand Him intimately. Any time spent genuinely engaged with God’s Word has the potential to change our lives. The THRIVE Creative Journaling Devotional Bible is for every woman who wants to know God more deeply and follow Him more closely. God’s design for His children is that they live flourishing, fulfilling, joy-filled lives in Christ. Sheri Rose has devoted over 30 years of her ministry to helping women learn how to thrive in Christ, reflect God’s glory, and gain an eternal perspective.
[ Our humble thanks to Tyndale for their partnership in today’s devotion ]
