Introduction
You didn’t plan to end up here. But here you are—standing in the quiet aftermath of a decision that maybe did not honor your wisdom, your worth, or your calling.
Perhaps it was a rushed ‘yes’ or a silent ‘no’. A moment when fear felt louder than faith. And now, the weight of that choice lingers like fog during a time when you wish things were clear.
My friend, here is a truth to consider: Redemption doesn’t wait for perfection. It meets you in the middle of the mess, with a mercy that rewrites the story. Living in redeemed power is when God’s Power does its best work. The following information utilizes the acronym START – to remind you that you CAN start again after the fall.
S – Situation
If you’ve read my book “What Just Happened: Living The Redeemed Life When All Hell Breaks Loose” (available on Amazon), you know there was a season when I found myself staring at the consequences of a choice I couldn’t undo. During that time, I had ignored the nudge of discernment, bypassed some of the signals of wisdom, and stepped into a season that drained more than it delivered. The silence afterward wasn’t peaceful—it was loud and piercing. And yet, even in that silence, I heard this faint whisper: “I’m still here.”
T – Task
At the time, the task before me wasn’t to pretend it hadn’t happened. It was to face it with honesty and let God do what only He can do – redeem the circumstances. I had to choose restoration over shame, even when my heart was broken. I also had to choose truth over denial, and healing over hiding. The Bible reminds me that even the most faithful leaders—David, Peter, and Moses—had their moments of misstep, but their stories didn’t end there. And because of that, I knew neither would mine.
A – Action
As I approached the throne of God, I began with confession. Then to my close circle of friends and family who supported me through this unexpected season of brokenness. I journaled. I fasted and prayed. I sought God’s direction on my ‘next’. And I spoke biblical affirmations daily, for example, “I am not disqualified. I am being refined.” I also sought wise counsel, not just for advice, but for accountability. I surrounded myself with voices that reminded me who I was, even when I forgot.
R – Result
Proverbs 3:5-6 says –
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths”
What I learned during this challenging season was that focusing on why and how I ended up in my ‘perceived pit’ was not helping me get past my anxious feelings. I realized that redemption doesn’t erase the past; it redefines it. The very decisions I questioned and hid became testimonies of grace – even to this day. I found myself sharing my story and mentoring others who were navigating similar valleys. My leadership deepened, not because I had all the answers, but because I had walked through the fire and emerged with empathy.
God didn’t just restore what I thought was lost; He magnified it so it could multiply His presence and wisdom. New doors opened. Old wounds healed. And the voice of shame grew quieter with each step of obedience.
T – Takeaway
The greatest lesson for me was that redemption is not reserved for the perfect; it’s the inheritance of the repentant. When we own our mistakes and missteps, we need to invite God into the mess. He doesn’t just clean it up – He creates beauty from it. Wisdom isn’t always present at the beginning of the journey, but it can be the fruit of every fall when we choose to rise again.
If you find yourself standing in the aftermath of a decision or experience that you regret, know this:
You are not disqualified. You are being refined.
…And your story is still being written—in Grace, in Truth, and in Power.
