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God's love is unconditional, even when we can't love ourselves
God saved me from an abusive relationship, one that He warned me not to get into. I knew that the relationship was not a good one, and yet I entered into it and stayed because of lust and what I thought was love. I wanted to control my life and thought he didn't know what was best for my life. When it became abusive, I ran to God for help, and not only did he come through in big ways, but he forgave me and showed me how much he loved me despite my mistakes.
I am thankful for eternal life because, through the promise of eternal life, I am reminded of an unconditional love that I cannot earn. God's love brings me so much peace and comfort that despite all my faults, He still loves me enough that His son died for me.
I grew up within the Christian faith, but I don't think I really truly knew God. I remember entering into a relationship that I knew wasn't good for me. The man wasn't a Christian, and the way our relationship started was less than honorable. Yet, I decided to date this man, and we even ended up engaged. When he started to emotionally and financially abuse me, I struggled but stayed in the relationship. But one day, it got so bad that I remember crying on the floor of our home, asking God for a way out. I was being emotionally tormented by our relationship and his family. I was dealing with anxiety and fear that had become debilitating. My health wasn't where it once was, and I was hopeless, feeling like I'd done this to myself. I'd made many mistakes in that relationship and even walked away from Him for a season, yet he met me that day on the floor and comforted me. Within a month, by divine appointments and people he brought into my life, I had a place to stay and a way to get out of that situation. A woman I'd spoken to a few times offered me a place to stay, and he brought finances into my life so that I could afford a plane ticket and the moving costs it would take to get out of my situation. Every single thing I needed in the season was met by his grace and power. He showed me so much love and forgiveness when I couldn't even forgive myself. I'll be forever grateful for the people he moved to help me and the love I was shown during one of the hardest seasons of my life.
I know I am not a perfect person, and I know that my heart longs to be pleasing to God, yet even so, I will mess up. I know now that the abuse I endured was not my fault, but I am grateful for the love, grace, and forgiveness that God showed me during that time. He showed up for me so profoundly that I will never doubt His existence and the eternal life that He has given me so freely. I look forward to the day I get to thank Him in person for all that He has done for me.
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