Welcome to the Hope Unlocked podcast . I'm your host , kristen Kurtz , and I'm also the founder of New Wings Coaching . I help and empower wildhearted and adventurous women of faith feeling caged and stuck , unlock their true purpose and potential , break free from limitations and thrive with confidence , courage and hope . If you're curious to learn more about coaching with me , head to newwingscoachingnet and be sure to explore the show notes for ways to connect with me further . Get ready to dive in as we uncover empowering keys and insights in this episode . So tune in and let's unlock hope together .
Speaker 1Hi , I'm Kristen Kurtz . Welcome to the Hope Unlocked podcast . Today I want to share something deeply personal . It's part of my story . It's a journey that has taken me from brokenness and instability to freedom , healing and a new legacy . My story is proof of Genesis 50-20 , which says you meant evil against me , but God meant it for good . My prayer is that as I share my story , you'll see how God can rewrite yours too .
Speaker 1Growing up , my life was so chaotic . Between the ages of 10 and 14 , my family moved more than a dozen times , each movement starting over new schools , new towns , leaving behind any sense of belonging or security . I was the oldest of three sisters and I felt the weight of holding everything together in the middle of instability . That chaos left so many scars . Abuse , rejection and trust issues shaped my view of the world and myself . I turned to eating disorders to feel some sense of control and eventually addiction to alcohol and drugs became my way to numb the pain . I hated myself . I hated God , even though I didn't grow up in church or didn't even know him . I felt empty and meaningless . I was completely broken . But God , everything changed when I hit rock bottom . Addiction had me in chains and I felt that there was no way out . But in that moment of despair I cried out to God and he showed up In a miraculous moment . He delivered me from addiction . It was an instant and undeniable move of God . For the first time , I felt the weight lift and saw a glimmer of hope . And here's what's amazing One of those chaotic , painful moves had led me to meet my husband .
Speaker 1I didn't know at the time , but meeting him was part of God's plan for my story . He isn't yet walking in the faith and we met years before God rescued me , but our relationship became a foundation during some of my hardest years . And because of that meeting I now have my two incredible young boys , or , I would say , young men . They are nothing short of miracles . My boys represent a new beginning , a generational shift . They've never had to experience instability , rejection or chaos I faced . God has given them a legacy of hope and freedom , something I never thought was even possible , even after being delivered from addiction .
Speaker 1The journey hasn't been easy . It felt like the enemy kept coming in , like a flood , crisis after crisis , trying to pull me back in despair . But God continued to work my life . Slowly , he began to heal the deep wounds I carried , replacing pain with purpose . I learned that the scars of my past weren't just for me to overcome . They were tools God would use to help others . He was breaking chains that had held me and my family for generations . The rejection and shame that once defined me became stepping stones to freedom . Through God's restoration , I began to walk my calling , helping other women unlock their potential , find their voices and step boldly in their God-given purpose . My pain became a platform for unlocking hope and healing in others .
Speaker 1So today , I just celebrated a birthday yesterday and I just have been doing a lot of reflection . I'm standing in awe of what God has done . The instability and brokenness of my past no longer defines me . Instead , my life has been transformed into a testimony of God's faithfulness . My boys are living proof of that transformation . They've been given a new legacy and I'm so grateful for the opportunity to raise them in freedom and hope . My story is a reminder that , no matter how hard and how dark it gets , god can take what the enemy meant for harm and turn it into good . If you're feeling stuck or hopeless today , know this your story isn't over . I'm going to say that again your story isn't over . The same God who rescued me is ready to rewrite your story too . Thank you for listening to this episode of Hope Unlocked . If this resonated with you , I'd love to hear from you . Let's keep walking towards freedom together .