First of all:

I was dating someone who was not a Christian.

That should have been my first clue that this was not the man God intended for me. I'm sure you've heard the saying "love is blind." While I'm not sure what I was feeling was love as opposed to infatuation, I was certainly blind. I was unable to see that everything about that guy that was totally wrong for me. Little things that had bugged me at that time have now become qualities that I absolutely do not want in the man I want to marry.

Those things should have set alarms off in my head saying "Hey!! Wake up!!! This is not the man for you!!" However, it took a lot more in order for me to wake up, open my eyes, and come to the realization of what God was trying to do in my life. My walk with Christ was not where it should have been, and I had honestly placed my worldly relationship above it. And now I am very ashamed of that.

Ladies, if there's one piece of advice that I have for you, it's to never put your relationship with a guy above your relationship with Christ. Even if you have made that mistake before, as I have, God still has your back. If it's His will, He will save you from the situation and love you just the same.

While I had been through heartbreak before, this was in some ways worse but in some ways better. The part that was worse consisted of all of the negative thoughts the devil put in my head. It honestly tore me apart, but Psalm 147:3 states, "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." I certainly found this to be true as I found my healing in Jesus Christ alone. The process was tough, but as I continued to heal I thought of James 1:12, "God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him" as well as 1 Peter 1:5, which reads, "These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold--though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world." What I found to be better than my previous heartbreak, however, was how easy it was to get over this one. God healed me in ways I can't even describe. He showed me that I am worth more and that I deserve more. He proved to me that His plans for my life are far greater than the 'plans' I thought I wanted with that relationship.

One of my all time favorite verses is Ephesians 2:10, which says that, "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Although that guy may not have thought I was amazing, in God's eyes I am more than amazing. I am His masterpiece. He has plans for me to do great things, and those great things do not involve the guy that broke my heart.

Though I have made mistakes, I am able to mediate on Hebrews 8:14. "Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins," it reads.

Thankful. I am eternally thankful to my Savior. My favorite worship song sums it up perfectly:

"I was lost, Jesus, You found me. In Your mercy You sought me out. Lifted me out of the ashes to Your unfailing love, to Your unfailing love.

You came for me, when I was lost, hopelessly lost. Your life for my liberty, on the cross, traded on the cross..." (Thankful, NLC Worship).

I am thankful that God allowed me to go through that hurt in order to repair my relationship with Him. I have come back stronger than ever and wiser from my mistakes.