From the Shadows to the Stage: How God Used My Pain to Point to His Glory
There was a moment quiet and sacred when I sat at the edge of my bed, my Bible closed, my heart weary, and tears silently falling. I had walked through years of public service and private sorrow. But that morning, stripped of performance and pretense, I encountered the still voice of the Lord: “I see you. I’ve always seen you. Now walk in the truth I’ve given you.”
That moment didn’t make headlines, but it marked a turning point in my life. Not because I found strength in myself, but because I found refuge in the unchanging character of God. He wasn’t calling me to make a name for myself; He was calling me to know His name, trust in His sovereignty, and live for His glory.
A Silent Beginning
Much of my life was marked by silence. Not the peaceful kind, but the kind born from shame and confusion. I was molested as a child, first by a male uncle, then by a female cousin. These traumatic experiences left deep emotional wounds. But perhaps more damaging was the silence that followed. The culture of “keep it quiet” echoed louder than my voice. I learned early on that being quiet was safer than being truthful.
Years later, I entered marriage hoping for love and protection. Instead, I found myself in a relationship dominated by manipulation, emotional and physical abuse, and repeated infidelities. I stayed for sixteen years pressured by cultural norms and misapplied scriptures that led me to believe enduring abuse was part of being a godly wife. I was told that leaving would dishonor God. But staying was slowly killing me inside.
The God Who Redeems
But God—rich in mercy intervened. He never condoned the sin committed against me, and He certainly didn’t ask me to suffer for appearance’s sake. He was there grieving with me, strengthening me, drawing me near.
The Lord used Scripture, counseling, and the patient work of the Holy Spirit to open my eyes. I began to see that the same God who calls us to forgive also calls us to flee from evil. The same God who is patient with sinners is also a defender of the oppressed.
My healing didn’t come overnight. It came through prayer, repentance, community, and learning to trust again. I no longer read the Bible just to find comfort, I read it to find truth. And what I found was this: God was not distant or indifferent. He was present. He was faithful. He was refining me through the fire not to destroy me, but to purify me.
A New Beginning in Christ
In that sacred quiet time, God shifted something in my heart. He wasn’t just healing me. He was calling me to speak. Not for attention, but because someone else needed to hear the truth: You are not forgotten. Your story matters.
That’s when Ultimate PowerHouse Coach was born, not as a brand, but as a surrendered response to His call. It became a space where women who had lost their voice to trauma, fear, or guilt could rediscover their God-given identity. I wasn’t offering quick fixes. I wasn’t selling hype. I was offering the truth: that Christ alone heals, restores, and equips.
As a mother of four, wife, community servant, and healthcare leader with over 34 years of experience, I now live and lead from a place of dependence on God. Everything I do is by His strength and for His glory.
Living with Gospel Purpose
I’m not interested in building a platform for myself. I’ve seen how easy it is to get caught up in performance and perfectionism. But those things are empty. I’ve learned that real purpose is found in faithfulness. Whether I’m mentoring a young woman, speaking at an event, or simply encouraging someone in crisis, my mission is the same, to point to Christ.
We don’t need a stage to be effective. We don’t need followers to be faithful. We need a heart that is surrendered to God and rooted in truth.
And here’s what I’ve come to understand:
You don’t have to be perfect to be used by God.
You don’t have to hide your past to protect your witness.
In fact, it’s often in our brokenness that His power is made most visible.
Your scars can become sacred when placed in the hands of a Savior.
To the Woman Still in Hiding
If you’re reading this and still wrestling with shame, fear, or doubt know this: God sees you. He knows your story. Nothing disqualifies you from His love. Nothing is too messy for His mercy.
He isn’t calling you to perform; He’s inviting you to trust. He’s not waiting for perfection; He’s working through surrender. The parts of your life you’ve tried to bury may be the very parts He wants to redeem and use.
You don’t need a platform to begin. You simply need a willing heart. Whether you’re in business, ministry, motherhood, or in a quiet season of healing, your story has value. Your obedience has weight. And your testimony, anchored in Christ, can be a light to others.
You may have come from brokenness, but you are not broken beyond repair. You are being sanctified and strengthened by the same God who called you. While the world may measure success by visibility, God measures it by faithfulness.
So, walk forward not in fear, but in faith. Not for applause, but for His glory. Because the One who called you is faithful—and He will do it.
(1 Thessalonians 5:24)
Dr. Rita Renee is an international speaker, bestselling author, community servant, and founder of Ultimate PowerHouse Coach. She equips women to embrace biblical truth and walk faithfully in their God-given callings. A devoted wife and mother of four, Dr. Rita brings over 34 years of healthcare and leadership experience into every space she serves. Learn more at www.ultimatepowerhousecoach.com.
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