Issue 1| 2023

Satan had a heyday with me while I was
down. He reminded me daily how I had
missed the mark as a mother and wife. He
told me God’s plan would never come to
fruition for my kids or me and that I had
experienced all the good I ever would. It
didn’t take long before I was engulfed again
in a hopeless pit of despair and self-pity.
All I could see was an endless dark tunnel
with no light, closing in on me. I lost sight
of all the progress I’d made.
A good thing happened during this dark
season though. For years, I had refused to
talk to anyone about my mental health or
seek medical help. I’d used God as an excuse,
telling myself that He alone was my
Healer; I didn’t need anyone else.
Don’t get me wrong—God is the Great
Physician, and He can heal anyone of anything.
But I wasn’t actually receptive to His
help because I didn’t want to confront the
painful issues of my past. Finally, I realized
that unless I faced my past with God, I had
no hope of breaking free from the darkness
that held me captive.
It wasn’t easy, but I started sharing my
pain, first with God and then with other
trustworthy people. I took the cap off the
place in my heart where I stored my emotions
and painful traumas and let them
rise to the surface. One by one, I gave them
over to God.
First Peter 5:7 (NIV) invites us to “Cast
all your anxiety on him because he cares
for you.” As I realized the depth of God’s
love for me, I trusted Him more with my
pain. As the old traumas, disappointments,
emotions, and my sinful behavior came to
light, I would write them down, pray, and
then release them to God. It helped me to
remember that God’s love was unconditional
and that no matter what I shared, He
would not reject or judge me (John 3:17).
With time, the light of His love overcame
the darkness that had tormented
me (Psalm 18:28; Matthew 4:16). The Lord
also gave me strength and peace to seek
professional help. I am grateful for those
He put in my path to help me. God never
gave up on me, even when I wanted to give
up on myself.
Today, praise God, my mental and emotional
health is more stable. In 2020, God
graced me to launch a nonprofit called
Striving with Vision. I now have the privilege
of helping women discover their worth
in Christ and encouraging them to strive
toward a better future. My past victories
with God have equipped me for this journey.
In the process, I’ve found that serving
others helps me avoid becoming consumed
with my own struggles, especially my son’s
incarceration.
There’s a saying, “Nothing worth having
is easy.” I know this is true. My life has
been one fight of faith after another. But
the “good fight of faith” is what we must
all face if we want to be victorious over our
circumstances (1 Timothy 6:12).
Satan and this world are not just going to
roll over and let you experience the goodness
of God’s plan. You must be willing to
face the fight! God will strengthen you for
the journey and grace you for success.
It may not seem like it now, but there is
hope for your tunnel’s end. Keep casting
your cares over to God. Remind yourself
daily of the victories you’ve already experienced
and cling to your faith that more
will come. And then rise, aim, and move
forward with purpose (1 Corinthians 9:26).
In Christ, you are a conqueror over every
situation (Romans 8:37). No circumstance
or person has the power to stop what God
has purposed for your life (Isaiah 54:17;
Jeremiah 29:11). Well, no one except you.
Your unbelief in God, refusal to believe in
yourself, and unwillingness to keep going
will stop you in your tracks every time.
Right now, maybe you’re fighting that
good fight of faith. You’re taking steps with
God toward a better future. I’m so glad.
Keep going; you’re going to make it. You
can be victorious.
But maybe, like I often did, you’ve gotten
sidetracked, knocked down, or delayed.
Friend, it’s time to get back up. It’s not too
late. God’s love is big. Nothing you’ve done
or experienced has disqualified you from
the good things He has for you.
Get your eyes off your circumstances,
your failures, and those deceitful emotions.
Instead, give them to God. He will help you.
Then rise and take the next step He has
for you.
Don’t know which step to take next? Ask
Him. He’ll show you the way (Proverbs
3:5–6; James 1:5). And when He does, move
in faith and purpose with tightly secured
boxing gloves.
You’ve got this because God’s got you!
Above left: Latoya and her children approximately 15 years ago. Above right: Latoya
and her mother, Sarah Grady, at Latoya’s ordination ceremony.
LATOYA WILLIAMS is the founder of Striving
with Vision, an empowerment support group, and
an ordained minister. To find out more about her
nonprofit or to invite Latoya to speak at your event,
visit strivingwithvision.com.
18 Issue 01 / 2023 VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM