My Journey with God | Risen Hope Ministries
The Journey BeginsWhenever I look at this picture of me as child...never would I have known what God had planned for my life. Here, I sit with two legs that had eventually walked me through multiple surgeries, pain and disability.
God already had a plan, even before I was thought of...a plan that would change my life forever...and even the lives of others that would cross this path that He had placed me on. There are times when we can feel as if God doesn't love us...because our world seems different than others; but I have truly come to see that even though I felt alone, in this world of my own...God was in that world with me. |
Life Took a Bad Turn in the RoadSometimes a bend in the road can bring beauty; but that isn't what happened in my life. At the age of 5 years old, I began to experience sexual abuse.
As I came thru this painful time in my life...wondering why God would ever allow something like this; He began to show me that we are all given choices in life...a test to see where we stand with Him...and sometimes those choices aren't made with Him in mind. Even though we become the victim and are meant to feel defeated in life; God does fix what's been broken and uses it for His honor and glory...and that is what He has done for me. 
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A New PathThis was what I thought would be the first and only knee surgery; but as of this moment, I have now been through 21 major knee operations and I now live with a rod in my right leg, which was suppose to be an attempt to correct a rare problem from birth. It was around the age of 10 that we came to see what had been wrong since birth.
There has been much pain and loss through these moments in my life...but what I have gained...truly outweighs each painful moment of loss that I have experienced. Even as I continue to endure chronic pain and even struggle to walk...the hope that I live with; is that a time will come, when I will never suffer again...praise God! |
God began His work in me>>>Upon entering pre-op, for the first of many knee surgeries, I was only around 10 years old.
After being wheeled into pre-op, a girl around the age of 5 or 6 was wheeled next to me. She was definitely upset and scared; but even during the most fearful moments of what was ahead of me...I reached out for her hand and began to comfort her. We continued to hold hands and talk, until our hands were separated and we were wheeled into surgery. When I look back at this moment in my life, along with other moments...I see a God that was already beginning His work in me. |
Walking thru a Wilderness of Despair with GodI have been traveling with God, for over 50 years of my life and there were many times when I felt lost in a wilderness of despair. Twenty some years ago, I came to see that I needed to let God be my sunlight by day and my moonlight by night…and it was the light of His presence that eventually lead me out of a deep dark wilderness of despair.
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...even when I didn't know it!After my first surgeon had tried everything he could do to fix the problem I had in both knees; I was sent to another Orthopedic doctor.
After being admitted, a lady was also admitted to my room...and as I was waiting for my pastor to come up and pray with me before surgery...she looked at me and said... "Diane, what has helped you to go through so many of these surgeries, at such a young age...and I said, "Jesus." By time I was taken to surgery, my pastor was leading this woman to the Lord. |
Facing a Big MountainEven while experiencing multiple surgeries...loss and pain...a new path had merged with the old one...and now the past memories of sexual abuse had begun to resurface, as I had buried a painful past, for over 28 years of my life. Here, I thought that the road was already enough to walk down; but now, I was face to face with what I thought was the biggest mountain; one that I never thought that I would be able to get over.
As God allowed me to go down to nothing...God began to strengthen me even more for the climb...and as I took one step closer to the top of that mountain...I began to learn much along the way. Now, I no longer walk through the past alone; but instead, I now walk through these present moments with God. To learn more about the path that God walked me down...check out my memoir on amazon, titled... "My Journey with God: Walking thru Endless Moments of Affliction with a Love that Would Not Let Go." 
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Dear Reader...The life I have lived has been a long and difficult journey and I believe that when we are called by God to serve Him; then He also equips us with what we need to continue that journey. Even though the road may seem long and narrow, I have come to truly see that these are the moments when we lean on God the most...depend on Him fully, while He continues to strengthen us and teach us new things.
No matter what we face in life, we can either see it this way or we can continue to let these circumstances beat us up. Yes...there was a time in my life, when I got beaten up pretty bad; but a time did come, when I allowed God to break me down and teach me the things that I needed for this time in my life. This ministry only thrives because of God and what I have learned through a very difficult walk with Him...for it was the most difficult times that brought me to His level...where He could use me, in the way that He had planned from the very beginning. You know...we may not always like the road we're walking down in life; but one thing I can tell you today...when we choose to see it God's way, rather than what we feel it should be; that is when life becomes easier...even while facing the most difficult times...Amen! Many blessings on your day! It's Always & Only Because of Him... Diane |
Risen Hope Ministries | Diane K Hiltz Chamberlain
2002-2022 | Diane K Hiltz Chamberlain (Author & Director)
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dianekchamberlain@gmail.com
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