No Longer Disqualified: Redeemed for His Glory

Where Condemnation Ends, Belonging and Wholeness Begins

Have you ever believed the lie that your past disqualifies you from God’s purpose? I have.

The Lie: My past disqualifies me from being used by God.

The Truth: God redeems my journey within His story.

In my late twenties- early thirties, I was severely backslidden, running far and hard from the Lord and deeper into darkness. I adopted food restriction as a means of controlling my life. I fell into the arms of anorexia, held in the clutches of bulimia, and eventually, more destructive self-harm. I couldn’t see a way out. A decade later, I was on the brink of dying.

Sure, others around me could see it, but I couldn’t, or maybe I refused to, until my weight plummeted to almost 86 lbs soaking wet. My body was frail, my mind was consumed by self-loathing, condemnation, anxiety, and panic. The disease was not just consuming my body; it was devouring me alive from the inside, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually.

I could barely summon enough strength to ask for help, for the weight of shame nearly crushed me. Facing anyone felt impossible. I was convinced I was too far gone, too broken, too unworthy. Even if God could find some way to love me and save me, how could or why would He ever use me for His purpose? My mind was plagued by depression and the oppressive thoughts that never seemed to let go.

But it was there, at my lowest point, that Jesus revealed Himself to me. Not with condemnation. Not with rejection. But with kindness (Romans 2:4). He met me in the pit—one of my own making, and He loved me. He held me. He healed me. He lifted the shame. He shattered the weight of guilt. He whispered life where darkness had been prevailing and death ruling.

Jesus gave me the gift of Himself, His presence. I received His limitless grace and no condemnation (Romans 8:1). Grace rescued me; He redefined me, and continues to transform me. He gave me something I had been pursuing just in the wrong way: love, acceptance, and a righteousness that cannot be moved, that isn't based on merit but Him. His perfect work blotted out my sin, His blood covered my brokenness, and He clothed me with His very own righteousness. He allowed me to breathe within the skin that was suffocating me.

And woven in this precious gift, I experience absolute freedom. Jesus' righteousness has become my defense. It had brought the enemy’s accusations to not, both against my mind and in my heart. The breastplate (Ephesians 6:14) shields me from every lie that whispers, “You’ll never be enough.” My answer is simple and sure: I don’t have to be because Jesus is.

Beloved, you are never too broken, too late, or too far gone for Jesus to save, and when He saves you, it is for a magnificent purpose and a destiny that brings Him glory. The moments you regret, the choices you wish you could undo, the seasons that still carry the sting of shame, none of them have the power to outweigh the mercy and grace of our Lord Jesus.

His blood is your covering. The pages of your process that you’d rather tear out are woven into His greater narrative of redemption. In His nail-pierced hands, the mess becomes a message and the detours become a doorway.

When Jesus steps into our journey, He doesn't pretend the past didn’t happen; He gives it purpose. He orchestrates it for His glory. The transformation is the testimony of His kindness, and each moment that tried to destroy you is now intimately connected to His scars and a much more glorious narrative. What was meant for evil is used for the ultimate good—bringing others to Himself.

Ponder the Saints of Old…

Consider Abraham, who lied about Sarah being his sister, not once but twice, to spare himself harm, yet he is the father of faith.

Think of Rahab, the harlot who became part of the lineage of Christ.

Think of David, who was a man after God’s own heart, who fell into the clutches of adultery, which gave way to murder, yet who is in Christ’s genealogy.

Think of Peter, the disciple who denied Jesus, yet preached the sermon that birthed the Church.

Consider Paul, once a persecutor of Christians, now an apostle who penned most of the New Testament and was given the esteemed honor of the revelation of righteousness that is a gift, the church as His bride, and so much more!

Beloved, their histories didn’t disqualify them. They are testimonies of His faithfulness, a beacon of hope, and point to God’s relentless grace and love towards us.

“But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.” Romans 4:5.

Their stories demonstrate that God doesn’t wait for perfection to use us. He chooses fragile vessels so His glory is magnified. He doesn’t call the flawless; He seeks the willing and available.

“But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence.” I Corinthians 1:27-29.

Those who respond to grace and choose to walk in truth step into an irrevocable call. And the One who calls is also the One who qualifies, so that in the end, all the glory belongs to God.

Beloved,

Your history is held in holy hands.

Your scars are swallowed up in His and are the evidence of redemptive power that brings healing.

Your testimony is necessary and is the proof that our Redeemer lives.

Your destiny, though by God’s estimation complete, is still being unveiled as you walk in Christ, and your inheritance is glorious!

“Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:24.

Friend, what part of your journey do you need to surrender or resurrender today?

Closing Prayer

Abba Father,

Your plan of redemption overwhelms me. I am humbled and deeply grateful that I am found in Christ. Thank You for calling me out of darkness and clothing me in Your righteousness and light.

Thank You that my past does not disqualify me, but instead becomes a tapestry of Your mercy and grace.

I rejoice that I am included in Your greater narrative, a love story that stretches throughout eternity.

Lord, help me continue to rest in the finished work of Jesus, trusting not in my efforts but in the cross, not in my strength but in the Spirit.

May my life bear witness to the power of Your redeeming love. May every scar speak of Your healing, every weakness point to Your strength, and every breath bring glory to Your name.

In Jesus’ mighty name,

Amen.