My Pain Was the Path to His Promise

Welcome to Christianity.com. I'm Patrisse Burrell—worship leader, author, speaker, and founder of Lace Legacy. I'm a Christian, and here’s why.

I consider myself incredibly blessed to have come to know Jesus Christ as my personal Savior at the tender age of 12. Raised in a Christian family, I was introduced early to the love of God and the joy of serving Him. My grandfather was my first pastor, and through his guidance, I learned foundational truths about God. But it was at 12 that I truly felt the Holy Spirit drawing me, not just to know about God, but to know Him intimately and personally.

That decision set the course for my life and eventually led to my calling into ministry. At 18, as I prepared to graduatefrom  high school and begin college, I finally surrendered to that calling. I told God, “Whatever You have for me—traditional or not—I will follow.” I went on to earn my undergraduate degree in religion and philosophy, embracing both education and spiritual formation.

Life moved quickly. I married at 22, became a mother at 23, and by 24 was navigating a separation that ended in divorce at 25. My faith didn't shield me from heartbreak. But it did sustain me through it. I came to understand that being a Christian doesn’t exempt us from pain—it equips us to grow through it. Trials and tests don’t disqualify us; they deepen our dependence on God and our understanding of His grace.

For years, I lived as a single mother and a single woman in ministry. And now, after two decades, I’ve recently remarried—yet another chapter marked by God’s faithfulness. Through every season, God has remained near. Even in my flaws and failures, His grace has proven sufficient.

I’m reminded of Paul’s words: “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.” My identity isn’t in my achievements or my struggles. It’s not about striving to be perfect, but about standing firm in who I am in Christ. Even when we fall short, God never changes His mind about us. He doesn’t discard us. He redeems us—again and again.

I’ve learned that His love meets us right where we are and takes us from faith to faith, glory to glory. And for that, I am a Christian—and I’m so glad about it.

Be blessed today, and keep visiting Christianity.com. God is not finished with our story. Amen.

Photo Credit:  SWN Design