Inspirational Stories
We can all use some inspiration. Below are true inspirational short stories of redemption, grace, hope and joy, allowing us to see life the way God sees it—beautiful.
This isn’t how it was supposed to be.
Pain, confusion, questions, and anger can all happen when our story is “interrupted” by things we don’t want. We can feel alone and abandoned even by God himself when we are surprised by pain. Yet, God has not abandoned you. God loves you deeply and completely. He sees you.
Regardless of what is happening in this chapter of your life, He knows His larger story for you. The truth is God created you with a purpose unique to you alone! He desires that you have a whole and meaningful life. That doesn’t mean that all the “problems” go away, but if we lean into the pain and look for His face, we may find that our “problem” is a gift.
Take a moment to breath. Let His love rest on you, and read some of these short inspirational stories. Perhaps you will see how God worked in other people’s lives amid challenging times. We pray their stories will inspire you. You are not alone. You are not forgotten.
Story to Inspire: Terror Turned to Mission
Unplanned Pregnancy was Inspiration
When I was 19, I was pregnant and unmarried.
The shame and guilt that I felt were crippling.
Growing up in church, I knew to save sex until marriage, but I still messed up. My boyfriend and I loved each other so much, but we had begun looking to each other for validation instead of to God.
I believed abortion was wrong. Even as a child, I would prayerfully march outside abortion clinics with my family. If anyone ever asked me about that topic, I would adamantly say that I could not understand why someone would make a choice like that. But when I found out I was pregnant, fear took the wheel and being brave was the last thing on my mind. I convinced myself that an abortion would be the easy way out.
Every baby is planned. It may be unplanned by the mom, but it is not unplanned by God.
I came within moments of having an abortion, having made it as far as being in a medical gown and sitting on the cold table. While the nurses described how they would perform the abortion and what was about to happen, I had an anxiety attack, hyperventilated and passed out.
Then, as the nurses were fanning me, one of them looked me in the eyes and said, “You’re too emotionally distraught to make this decision today. You’re not getting an abortion today.”
Inspiration: Overcoming Cerebral Palsy and Becoming a Doctor
Tyler’s extraordinary courage began when he entered preschool with braces on his legs and was pushing a walker. He proved to everyone that he could adapt and fit in with the more mobile kids, overcoming his Cerebral Palsy (CP).
In fourth grade, Tyler participated in the President’s (Fitness) Challenge to prove any doubters wrong. Finishing a mile run was a physical and spiritual accomplishment. Tyler recalls that God answered his prayers, giving him the tenacity and strength to do the “impossible,” circling the school track four times.
That same year, the towheaded youth was assigned to give a speech. Tyler titled it “Why Me?” He spoke about having CP. “I wanted my listeners to learn to accept people who were different from them,” Tyler remembers how his story inspired his class. Yet sadly, from grade school to medical school, he was bullied. “Brutally,” he recalls. He endured 16 surgeries during that time. Defying the odds, he earned his driver’s license. Told he couldn’t scuba dive, he became a dive master.
Life after college also had challenges. Upon graduating from the University of South Florida with a stellar GPA, he was told by a medical school dean, “On paper you look amazing, but I don’t think you’ll fit here.” The other U.S. medical schools he’d applied to also denied him admission. At one point the rejections seemed overwhelming; he grabbed hold of his assistance dog, Danny, and wept for half an hour. Yet his faith in God remained. “My belief in [Jesus] and faith in His Word has blessed me all of my life,” he says.
It was hard, but Tyler wouldn’t give up, believing in miracles. And his inspirational story did change. He eventually received his medical degree, specializing in pediatrics. He met his wife and went on to a prominent role in the hospital. Through all that, Dr. Tyler Sexton shares his story of faith with others and works to encourage them. He shares, “I stand in front of you as a man with cerebral palsy, not in shame, [but] because God took tragedy and turned it into triumph.”
Read more:
Carrie’s Story
Carrie shares the story of her abortion.
Shane’s Story
Pastor Shane Idleman shares the story of an abortion from his past.
