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Ashley Willis

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How to TRUST AGAIN: One Wife’s Real-Life Story of Hope

How to TRUST AGAIN: One Wife’s Real-Life Story of Hope

Last updated on: December 19, 2017 at 2:15 pm by Ashley Willis

How to TRUST AGAIN: One Wife’s Real-Life Story of Hope 2017-12-19T14:15:15-04:00 Ashley Willis

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Later that year, Chris and I met for the first time in months. He started by confessing everything- the drug use he had kept secret, a relationship he had after the divorce, the doubts about his faith he hid for years. I saw Jesus in him more strongly than I had ever seen before. It was in his repentant heart and how his eyes lit up as he was telling me how God had become so real to him. As overwhelming as it was, I needed to know that this was a true heart change and not just a “I messed up and want to fix this real quick” kind of thing. Forgiveness was freely given, but trust was something that needed to be rebuilt.

We took several months to do some counseling, seek advice from our church body, and to discern God’s will for our marriage. Then we went on our second first date, were engaged a few months later, and were remarried a little over a year after my world had completely collapsed. The man that I am married to now is not the man I married the first time, or even the man I so quickly fell in love with in high school. He is a man who wants to further the kingdom with me by his side. The prodigal son that God so graciously pursued and showed mercy to just as He does for all of us.

For more on this, click HERE.

We know not everyone’s story ends like ours. But God is good. His promises are true. He can take the most broken and hopeless of situations and turn them into something beautiful in His time and for His glory.

If you’re in a struggling or broken relationship: God hears you. He is for you. Surround yourself with people who will support you and pray alongside you. Through Christ, we can rejoice in our suffering knowing that He will use it to refine and perfect us (Romans 5:3-5, James 1:2-4). Keep praying, keep surrendering, and keep your eyes set firmly on the cross.

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About the Guest Blogger: Stephanie is one half of the amazing duo, Out of the Dust. She and Chris began and continue their lives just outside of Nashville, TN. Their story of downfall, heartbreak, and miraculous redemption is woven deep into the fabric of their music. The passion they share is to tell of God’s beautiful and majestic redemption through music that is stirring, thoughtful, and uniquely their own. “Our desire is to be faithful stewards of our story and let the music we create move people toward love, life, and hope no matter where it meets them in the journey.”

Influences range from the intricate lyricism and ambience of Fleet Foxes to the fun, quirky melodies of Ingrid Michaelson and the skillful, acoustic arrangements of John Mayer. Their debut self-titled studio release is a vulnerable portrait of the brokenness and uncertainty found in the human experience, yet it offers hope and redemption to an aching world. The album features sweeping arrangements of strings and instrumentation from skilled producers and aims to carry them to the next chapter of their miraculous story. Their radio single “All That I’m Made For” is available for free on their website and the rest of the album is available everywhere online through streaming or digital download. You can connect with Out of the Dust through Facebook and their website, OutOfTheDustMusic.com.

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