Author: Rose Ann Forte
Located in: Scottsdale
Submitted: December 28, 2023
Tell us a little about yourself. I was a successful C-Suite executive and ministry leader in the church and was a working mom of four and a social drinker. Over the years, life's stresses and a difficult marriage led to significant alcohol usage. After the collapse of my marriage, my drinking further escalated and I felt like a fraud with God and the Church. The shame and guilt resulting from continued excess drinking wreaked havoc on my self-esteem and mental wellness. I wanted to stop but couldn't figure out how. I tried numerous times and ways to quit. When COVID-19 hit, I enrolled in a coaching program to put alcohol to the side for three months. I couldn't imagine forever at the time. I just needed to understand how I would feel if I didn't drink for this period, so I took the challenge. My experience was extremely transformational. I lost weight and started exercising. My self confidence increased significantly and I felt so connected with the Holy Spirit. I identified what alcohol had stolen from me and understood that God had a much better plan as I trusted in Him and followed Him . I felt called to document what I learned with this daily devotional so others can experience God's promises through scriptural instruction with hope and a better plan for the future.
What do you hope folks will gain from this project? I pray that people learn to walk with God every day by reflecting on scripture that was written to provide guidelines on how to live our best life, one that is filled with joy and peace despite circumstances. In committing to this 12 week challenge, people will see that God's instruction manual (His Word) provides step by step instructions on how to defeat the lies of the enemy when temptation comes knocking at our door. They will learn that everything good in this world comes from God and that His deepest desires are for us to rest in Him and understand that we were created with unique gifts that were intended to be used in the Kingdom for His purpose.
How were you personally impacted by working on this project? I have learned to trust in Him every day to provide exactly what I need. I have been impacted beyond measure with peace and joy in Him as I walk this daily path called life. I have learned how to process forgiveness of self and others. This in turn has allowed me to be more compassionate to those around me and understand more deeply that God's love is meant for all of us. No one is excluded from His promises. Not one.....
Anything else you'd like readers / listeners to know: I want people to understand that they can trust in Him for a different outcome. I want people to know that despite the fact that they feel trapped, God has promised them a much better plan in their life (Jeramiah 29:11). We just need to get out of His way so his mighty work can be done.
