Stress Point Wk 10: Girlfriend Interview

Well…the final Stress Point Girlfriend interview. I really loved this chapter because we finish off with the one thing that ties it all together–growing in our faith. I will post later this week with some thoughts about the conclusion chapter.

 

Meet my seriously sweet friend Wendy Blight. Wendy is one cool chick that knows a TON about the Bible. She is a Bible teacher, a mentor of mine and the girl can really pull off wearing awesome cowboy boots. (I’m secretly coveting her boots!) Check out what Wendy has to say…

 

 

Wendy, this week we are discussing how God uses our 20s to grow and stretch our faith. What was your faith like in your 20s?

Sarah, my faith was in crisis in my twenties. Just days after my college graduation at age 21, I entered my apartment to find an armed masked man waiting for me. He spent the afternoon sexually assaulting me. My faith went into a tailspin. I grew up Catholic and attended mass regularly with my family. I believed in God, but because of what happened to me, I questioned everything I had ever learned about Him. You see, I could not wrap my mind around how a good God, like the one I grew up believing in, could have watched from His throne in heaven and allowed what that man did to me. So I spent my twenties living in a prison of fear, angry at God, and searching for answers.

How have you grown in your faith since then?

God, through His Word, healed, restored and transformed my faith. I tell this story in my book, Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The Transforming Power of God’s Story. But I will share the abridged version here. The bottom line is…I never really knew God and that is why I could so easily turn away from Him during my trial.

When counseling, self-help books, and Oprah’s guests failed me, I turned to all that I had left…my Bible. I dug into God’s Word for answers. And when I did, His living and active Word came alive. I learned the character of God. I learned God loved me with an everlasting love. I learned that although bad things will happen to God’s people because there is sin in this world, God has a plan. He addresses it in Scripture. He has promises for those of us who are broken and in despair.

I walked away from God because I did not know Him. I could not trust someone I did not know. Once I got to know God, I trusted Him. When I trusted Him, I gave Him my fear, my unforgiveness, and my anxiety. And He was so faithful. He freed me from it all. And in the process, He not only grew my faith but also gave me a calling to share my story and teach His Word.

Regarding life in general about the 20something decade, what is ONE thing you wish you knew then that you know now and would like to share?

Sarah, I wished I knew the wisdom, power, and hope that comes from the Bible. No one ever shared this with me. Over the years, His Word has provided answers to so many questions and direction when I did not know which way to go. Hebrews 4:12 says it is a living and active Word…a word from God meant to speak into our lives today and make a difference. The Bible has been relevant at every stage, and I trust it will continue to be so. I grew up thinking it was a book full of great stories and life lessons. Now I know it is SO much more. It is life. It is health. It is hope. It is TRUTH!! It is never-changing. It is what I hold onto when nothing else makes sense.

Isn’t our God amazing! He is doing awesome things through my friend Wendy and I know He can and will do awesome things through YOU too!

So what do you think? Leave a comment and let’s chat!

Be sure to check out Wendy’s book Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The Transforming Power of God’s Story.


Comments

Stress Point Wk 10: Girlfriend Interview — 22 Comments

  1. Thank you for sharing your story, Wendy. I love when you mentioned that the Bible is life, hope, and truth. I receive email updates from a few Christian websites and it’s wonderful how certain verses are sent to me at the most perfect moments. The Bible has an answer to every question or struggle.

    • Bree, that is how God works. When we seek after Him, He will speak into our lives. You are so blessed to already know the truth that the Bible has an answer to every question and struggle. May God richly bless you as you seek to know Him more.

      Wendy

      • Thank you, Wendy. It took me most of my life to acknowledge the power of His Words. My life has been transformed since I’ve given myself to the Lord. I’m much more at peace and grateful. May God bless you, too.

    • Thanks, Meg. I love to share what God has done in my life and want everyone to experience God’s presence in such a real and personal way!!! I pray that as you read Hidden Joy God will speak to your heart through the truths He has taught me.

      Blessings,

      Wendy

  2. I got to hear and meet Wendy at a Women’s Retreat with my church a few years ago – what a blessing she is! Her relationship with God is a tangible thing. I have grown closer to the Lord over the past couple years, as I separated from my alcoholic husband and am caring for our son as a single parent. God has been my husband, father, counselor, friend, provider, and EVERYTHING! I recommend a relationship with the God of the Universe for everyone! He is there and seeks each one of us for an intimate relationship with Him. Yesterday I came upon a book that I ordered by John Eldredge, The Sacred Romance: Drawing Closer to the Heart of God, and there was a wonderful quote from it that really reached my heart this morning: “And after years of hearing the heart-cry of women, I am convinced beyond a doubt of this: God wants to be loved. He wants to be a priority to someone. How could we have missed this? From cover to cover, from beginning to end, the cry of God’s heart is, “Why won’t you choose Me?” It is amazing to me how humble, how vulnerable God is on this point. “You will . . . find me,” says the Lord, “when you seek me with all your heart” (Jer. 29:13). In other words, “Look for me, pursue me — I want you to pursue me.” Amazing. As Tozer says, “God waits to be wanted.” PRAISE HIM THAT HE SEEKS A RELATIONSHIP WITH US AND THEN SHOWERS US WITH HIS LOVE! No person, money, prestige, thing, drug, can satisfy the human soul. It leaves us empty to rely on these things. GOD IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN SATISFY OUR SOULS! Praise Him!!!

    • Dina, I just love the quotes you gave us…especially the one that says “God waits to be wanted!!” Thank you for sharing your story with us. It is truly an encouraging story full of hope.

      Blessings,

      Wendy

    • Dina, thank you for sharing your story and those awesome quotes! I especially loved, “God wants to be loved. He wants to be a priority to someone.”

  3. I am currently reading Wendy’s book and it’s one I wish I read in my 20’s! Her story is powerful and I appreciate how she weaves in God’s Word…she truly isn’t preaching at us, but sharing the power of God’s Word and God uses that to draw us in closer.

    As a 20 something I was hurting, lonely and lost. I had no hope and was a people pleaser who felt like I always failed! I hit bottom at 23 and contemplated ending it all, but God worked in ways He only can. The last 13 years have not been what I expected but God’s filled me with His spirit and continues to draw me closer. He’s given me peace, strength and hope!

    My advice for those following in my steps…don’t wait until you figure it all out to follow Christ. He wants you and loves you just as you are. He does have a plan for you…not just for the future, but today!! And remember He has a purpose for the pain! Finally be sure to read Wendy’s book…God speaks thru her story!

    • Jill, what wonderful advice!! Thank you for sharing with these girls what you have learned. How I wished I had godly women to pour into me when I was twenty something!!

      Blessings,

      Wendy

    • Jill! Thank you, Thank you for taking the time to share your advice and heart with my readers! Such great stuff!! You rock.

    • Thank you for sharing your story, Jill Beran. Your advice about remembering that God has a purpose for the trials in our life is so true. My relationship with Christ has significantly grown during my struggles of finding a job. I don’t have all the answers, nor will I ever. Only He does. I’ve added Wendy’s book to my list of books to read and look forward to reading it. Thanks again!

  4. Wow, love this! Thank you for sharing, Wendy!

    Something happened to me recently that has left me a bit disconnected from things and sorta just numb to the world and questioning lots of stuff, but my faith has grown stronger – especially since Sarah helped me realize that going to God with questions is OK.

    I love what Wendy says about knowing God. A few months ago I realized that although I had grown up in church, I didn’t really KNOW Him – I just knew ABOUT Him (make sense?). I’ve honestly probably prayed on my knees and picked up my Bible more these past few months than I have my entire 25-years. I’m finding that the more I learn about Him, the more I want to know and the more time I want to spend with Him!

    • Jessica, what wisdom you shared with us…about knowing God not just knowing about Him!! I pray that as you continue to open your Bible God will take you to deeper, richer places with Him!! I pray He will make you more and more hungry for Him and His Word.

      Blessings,

      Wendy

  5. Wendy,
    Whenever I hear you, read what you write, talk to you… see you… you bring me right to Jesus’ arms. Thank you for all you’ve done to bring all of us into a more intimate relationship with God Himself. You are a treasure and I am humbled that God would weave our lives together.
    Sarah,
    Thank you for your interview and this awesome site. I look forward to checking your book out!

    xoxo
    noelle

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