A Faith Conversation with Ashley Schafer

Today, I had the pleasure of hosting Ashley Schafer for a deeply enriching conversation about faith, personal testimony, and the transformative power of God’s love. The discussion was a testament to how our experiences shape our spiritual journeys and how sharing those journeys can inspire and uplift others.

The Journey to Faith

Ashley began by sharing her background, growing up in a Christian family in southwest Iowa. Although her mom was a devoted prayer warrior, Ashley initially felt a disconnect in her personal relationship with God. It wasn’t until her twenties, influenced by friendships—particularly with a friend named Morgan Cross—that her interest in deepening her faith ignited. The pivotal moment came in 2016 at the Ardmore Futurity, where she felt a profound sense of God’s presence through a woman who approached her after a service, delivering a heartfelt message about seeking God.Ashley reflected, “Sometimes we forget the miraculous moments that God is doing in our lives.” This realization of looking back at life’s snapshots—like the cherished memories of our children—reminds us of the blessings we might overlook.

Transformation Through Trials

Ashley’s journey was not without challenges. After moving to Texas, she and her husband faced a rocky period in their marriage that led to a year-long separation. “It was honestly a rock-bottom time in my life,” she admitted, overwhelmed with guilt and anxiety. Despite the turmoil, she discovered grace in this period, echoing the truth found in Luke 7:47, where love is proportional to the depth of forgiveness received.“We typically need the most grace when we feel the least deserving of it,” she shared. It was during this painful chapter that Ashley pressed deeper into her faith, seeking God as her source of comfort and strength.In 2018, after much prayer and seeking signs for reconciliation, Ashley and Seth reunited, committing to mend their marriage. Through counseling and Christ-centered work, they rebuilt their relationship stronger than ever, realizing that God can turn what was meant for harm into something beautiful.

Living Out Faith Daily

Ashley shared her recent experience attending a transformative retreat called Higher Ground in Arkansas. It was a place to disconnect and deepen her relationship with God. It was there that Ashley surrendered her anxiety and guilt, leaving behind the burden that had weighed her down for so long. Ashley’s dedication to her faith today includes reading the Bible, focusing on books like Luke, which offers relatable insight into Christ’s love and kindness. She emphasized that understanding Christ’s heart allows us to cultivate a deeper relationship with Him.“You don’t have to live in that guilt,” she remarked, referencing biblical promises of forgiveness and redemption. Her journey through the scriptures has illuminated the path to freedom: “He wants us to live abundantly here.”

The Power of Prayer

Ashley highlighted the importance of prayer in her life and urged others not to become complacent in their spiritual journeys. “We need to pray actively for our needs and those of others,” she stated. She illustrated this point with her own experiences, where pressing into prayer during challenging times led to remarkable provisions from God, often “almost to the dollar” for specific needs.A powerful moment in the conversation occurred when Ashley recounted an experience of receiving a prophetic word at church that reassured her of the signs she had been seeking. “You know what you need to do,” the speaker declared. That moment catalyzed significant changes in her life and marriage.

Encouragement for Others

As we wrapped up the conversation, Ashley shared heartfelt encouragement for anyone who might be struggling, whether in their faith, relationships, or personal journeys. She emphasized that God’s love is for everyone and that pressing into Him can produce immeasurable freedom. “God wants us to live abundantly, to shine our light to others,” she reminded us, reiterating that we should never allow the enemy to convince us of our unworthiness. Instead, we should embrace the truth that we are made clean through the blood of Christ, allowing that transformation to embolden our testimony to the world.

Closing Prayer

Ashley concluded our discussion with a beautiful prayer, asking for blessings over all who would hear our conversation, and expressing gratitude for the profound love of God and His capacity to change lives.

In closing, Ashley’s testimony serves as a beacon of hope. Her journey from seeking God amid personal trials to living out her faith daily is a reminder that our stories can encourage others. If you’re in a place where you feel burdened, anxious, or lost, remember that God is waiting with open arms, ready to embrace you and guide you toward healing and abundant living.