God Redeems Your Past and Uses It for His Glory
It’s a thought that many Christian women wrestle with: “God can’t use me because of my past.”
If you’ve ever felt like your past disqualifies you from being used by God, you’re not alone. The shame, guilt, and regret over past choices can cloud our minds, causing us to believe that we’re too far gone for God to work through us. But the truth is, our past does not define us—God does.
Today we are going to look at what you can do to know that God redeems your past.
Understanding the Toxic Thought: “God can’t use me”
When we think, “God can’t use me because of my past,” it’s easy to fall into feelings of shame and regret. We might even start believing that we are unworthy of His love or unable to fulfill His purpose for our lives.
The emotions that stem from this toxic thought can lead to actions of avoidance—avoiding stepping out in faith, keeping our stories hidden, and staying disconnected from the people and opportunities that God is calling us toward.
As a result, we miss out on opportunities to glorify Him.
The Bible offers a very different perspective: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
This is a radical shift.
Our past is not a barrier to God’s plan; it is a part of His plan. As theologian John Piper writes,
“God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”
Our past, as painful or regrettable as it may seem, is part of our testimony. God will use it for His glory.
Applying the DAISY Method to Combat the Lie
To break free from the lie that God can’t use us because of our past, we need to take our thoughts captive and replace them with the truth of God’s Word. This is where the DAISY method can help.
- Define the thought
The thought “God can’t use me because of my past” is rooted in shame and lies from the enemy. We must identify this as a toxic thought, one that contradicts the truth of God’s Word. - Ask God for His Truth
Next, we need to pray: “God, reveal Your truth to me about my past. Show me how You are using it for good and for Your glory.” In Romans 8:28, we’re reminded that “in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” This is a promise that no mistake is beyond God’s redemptive power. - Get in the Word
Scripture is the ultimate source of truth. As we read God’s Word, He reveals His perspective on our past. Isaiah 61:3 speaks to the beauty of God’s redemption: “To bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” These verses remind us that God doesn’t waste anything—our past, no matter how broken, is redeemed by Him. - Say to your spirit, “Rise Up”
The next step is an internal dialogue. When we feel the weight of shame and guilt, we must speak to our spirit and declare: “God redeems my past and calls me to walk boldly into His purpose.” This is a declaration of faith, trusting in God’s truth rather than our feelings. - Yield to God’s Will
Lastly, we need to surrender our past to God. “God, I give You my past. Use it as You will, and teach me to trust in Your redemption.” Surrender is the hardest part, but it’s also the most freeing. When we release control, we allow God to work in ways we can’t even imagine.
Transforming Our Thoughts from Toxic to Healthy
By applying the DAISY method, we can shift our thinking from the toxic belief that God can’t use us to the powerful truth that God redeems our past and uses it for His glory.
Instead of dwelling on guilt, regret, and hopelessness, we can choose to focus on peace, hope, and gratitude. Instead of avoiding opportunities and hiding from our story, we can step out in faith, sharing our testimony and walking in obedience.
As the renowned author C.S. Lewis once wrote,
“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”
No matter what has happened in your past, it is never too late for God to redeem it and use it for His kingdom.
Stepping Toward Redemption
You might not go from a toxic thought to a healthy thought in a single day. Changing our mindset takes time, and as we’re reminded in Romans 12:2, we must be “transformed by the renewing of your mind.” But each day is an opportunity to take a small step closer to embracing the truth of God’s redemption.
Here are a few “stair-step” healthy thoughts to replace the toxic thought, “God can’t use me because of my past”:
- “I’m struggling with this thought, but I can explore it.”
- “I feel ashamed, but feelings are not facts.”
- “I can’t undo my past, but I can control how I move forward.”
- “God’s Word says I am a new creation in Christ. My past doesn’t define me; God does.”
- “I can trust God to bring good out of my mess.”
These are small steps toward renewing your mind and embracing the truth that God can redeem your past. In fact, “God doesn’t waste anything,” as we hear from popular preacher and author Max Lucado.
No part of your past is wasted; it is all part of His redemptive story.
Conclusion: Trust Me Your Past Is Not a Barrier
Your past is not a barrier to God’s plans for your life; it is a testimony of His grace and redemption. All of the decisions, both good and bad, that you’ve made have shaped who you are today. But God doesn’t leave us in our shame. As you surrender your past to Him, He will use it for His glory. And remember God can and WILL redeem your past.
In the words of theologian Tim Keller,
“The gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time, we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.”
Your past is redeemed. You are loved. And God will use your story to impact others and bring glory to His name.
As you move forward in faith, remember: God redeems your past and calls you into His purpose. He loves you so much dear one!
