In Gratitude Provides Abundance, Sheneva Washington Shares How God Transformed Her Heartbreak Into Hope
Sheneva Washington’s relationship with God changed when she realized that faith was not something she practiced only in good seasons, but also the lifeline that carried her through grief, unanswered questions, and days when she had nothing left but His promises. In retrospect, she saw that God was sustaining her, even when she couldn’t see what He was doing. “I have learned in my life that it is important to reflect, fast, pray, and seek God’s direction before a decision is made,” Washington says. Those spiritual disciplines became Washington’s anchor in life’s storms and have increased her capacity to fully trust Him.
“Each challenge has prepared me for the purpose He has set before me this day.”
That journey of trusting God through life’s hardest seasons would eventually become the foundation of her chapter, What Was Meant To Break Me Built Me, in Gratitude Provides Abundance, published by Sparkle Publishing.
Washington has spent over 27 years in education. She started as a reading teacher and then moved into leadership roles as a professional development specialist and instructional facilitator. She currently works with campuses, teachers, and school leaders to increase student achievement.
The opportunity to become a contributing author in Gratitude Provides Abundance came through visionary author Ruby Jeanine Batiste. Washington says Batiste’s vision of bringing together stories of faith, resilience, and gratitude deeply resonated with her. She knew the anthology would provide an opportunity not only to share her testimony, but also to encourage others walking through difficult seasons. “I said yes because I know how it feels to wonder if you will ever smile again without pain. If someone reads my story and realizes they are not alone, then every hard word I wrote was worth it.”
In Washington’s chapter, What Was Meant To Break Me Built Me, she takes readers on a real and transparent journey through grief, faith, and healing. “In my chapter, I talk about how gratitude was the bridge that helped me walk from heartbreak to hope. It’s a reminder that even in our darkest hours, God is still present, still faithful, still writing our story.”
Washington reveals that the hardest part of writing her chapter was going through the feelings that came with her loss. “Writing meant stopping, thinking, and reliving painful and transformational moments. It wasn’t easy, but it reminded me of how faithful God has been every step of my journey.” Washington also shares that while writing her chapter, she was reminded of how much love and support God had placed around her. “I knew I wasn’t walking alone, but taking time to reflect helped me fully appreciate the people He strategically placed in my life to encourage, pray for, and strengthen me. It also reminded me that His grace has carried me all the way,” she says.
Washington summarizes her chapter in one sentence: “Gratitude will not take away grief, but it will remind us that God’s faithfulness is greater than our pain, and that healing and abundance are always possible with Him.”
Gratitude has also transformed the way Washington views life’s most difficult seasons.
“Grief taught me that gratitude is not pretending that everything is fine. Gratitude is a decision to see the goodness of God even when life is hard. It helped me stop asking, ‘Why did this happen?’ and start asking, ‘Lord, what are You teaching me through this?'”
One Scripture that anchors Washington is 2 Thessalonians 3:16: “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.” This verse reminds her that peace is not found in her circumstances, but in God. “In times of grief, uncertainty, and waiting, I have clung to His promise that He is always with me and that His peace is available even in the midst of pain.”
Washington hopes those who read her chapter will come away knowing that grief is not the end of their story. “My prayer is that they leave with the knowledge that God can hold our tears and our future all at once.”
Gratitude Provides Abundance
Washington intentionally practices gratitude by choosing to see others through the lens of grace rather than judgment. She reminds herself that everyone is carrying a story she may know nothing about and spends time each day reflecting on God’s goodness, the simple blessings of life, and remembering whose she is. “When my eyes are on God, I stay grateful through whatever I’m going through.”
Because of what God has taught her, Washington encourages anyone feeling discouraged, overlooked, or uncertain about their purpose to remember that God has not forgotten them. She points to Psalm 121 as a reminder that our help comes from the Lord and encourages readers to trust His timing, even when they cannot see the full picture. “Every person has a God-given purpose, and your current season is preparing you for what He has already ordained.”
Above all, Washington hopes readers never allow pain to silence their faith. “If there is one thing I have learned, it is this: don’t allow pain to convince you that God has stopped speaking. Some of His greatest work in my life happened in seasons I never would have chosen. Keep trusting Him, even when you cannot yet see the purpose.”
To learn more about Sheneva Washington and her work, visit https://etqconsulting.my.canva.site/published-gpa-landing-page
