Better Than I Imagined: Transformed by the Love of God

By Laura Lopez-Arenas

Despite our best efforts, life doesn't always turn out the way we plan. Our circumstances drain us and the hope for a joyful life fades. In our pain, it is hard to see a viable solution. Better Than I Imagined is a story of hope and transformation. It shows how faith can and will move mountains if you are willing to put your trust in God. Even in our darkest moments, we are never out of reach of God's love and mercy. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Laura Lopez-Arenas
• Release date: Dec 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9798989268610

Book preview

Better Than I Imagined: Transformed by the Love of God

The events and conversations in this book have been set down to the best of the author’s ability. Some names and details have been changed to protect the privacy of the individuals.

Copyright © 2023 Laura Lopez-Arenas

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.comThe NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without written permission of the copyright owner except for the use of quotations in a book review.

ISBN: 979-8-9892686-0-3 (paperback)

ISBN: 979-8-9892686-1-0 (e-book)

Cover design by Rebecca Ira

Interior design by Daiana M

Edited by Nancy Albright

Photo by Chelsea Williams

Printed in the United States of America

Note to the reader

As my life has changed over the past several years, my dreams for this book have changed too. Because of this shift, I will always donate fifty percent of the proceeds from this book and any other books I write to spread love, hope, and faith wherever it is needed. My dream is twofold. For those of you who read it, I pray that you find hope for your future and begin to experience the love God has for you. God has blessed me with so much, and I pray my story becomes a blessing to many.

Dedication

This book is dedicated to my Savior, Provider, and Rock. God has made possible everything beautiful in my life. He has removed my pain, healed my wounds, and restored me. His love and mercy have given me the strength to rise up. I am grateful that He never gave up on me. He is the light in my life and without Him I am lost.

* * *

To the love of my life, Alex. Thank you for your constant and unrelenting support. You helped me see what is possible. I never knew love like this existed until I met you. Thank you for always believing in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. You are my best friend and I adore you. Love you to the moon and back.

* * *

To my dear friend, Tuyet. Thank you for listening and never judging my choices. Your friendship gave me strength and comforted me during my most challenging times. I am deeply grateful for your love and friendship. Thank you for laughing and crying with me.

* * *

To my dear friend, Lana. You have inspired me more than you realize. I cherish your friendship and enlightening conversation. Your constant encouragement and wisdom helped me finish my story. Thank you for inspiring me to step into the arena.

Table of Contents

Note to the reader

Preface

Prologue

Part One: My Mess

Chapter 1: Beginning of the End

Chapter 2: My Not So Romantic Comedy

Chapter 3: The War Zone

Chapter 4: Addiction

Chapter 5: Acceptance

Chapter 6: Time to Swipe

Chapter 7: Plenty of Fish

Chapter 8: Can’t Catch a Break

Part Two: His Glory

Chapter 9: By My Side

Chapter 10: Forgiveness

Chapter 11: My Journey to You

Chapter 12: Words to Live By

A Prayer for Renewal

Epilogue

Preface

Shortly after my divorce I began writing my story, searching for an outlet for my pain. My marriage had failed, and I hoped to share my experience to grow and to help others avoid making similar mistakes. In its inception, this book was marked to be a self-help book about dating, but over years of writing, it has truly blossomed into what I feel it was always intended to be: to show how the mercy and unrelenting love of God is available to everyone. I knew the life I had created wasn’t God’s intention, but He met me where I was and helped me clean up the mess I had made of my life, for my good and for His glory. God gave me the opportunity to use my failures as a testimony to His love and mercy.

With every word I wrote, it became apparent that I was in no position to give advice; I still had my own healing to do. Those painful memories often deterred me from writing as I relived the horrible memories over and over, which often seemed counterproductive and not aligned with my goal to find peace again. However, I continually felt a nudge to keep writing, and my purpose for sharing my story gradually evolved.

After spending many years crying and feeling overwhelmed, I didn’t want to be sad anymore. I wanted to find the happy person I had been before my tumultuous marriage had torn my soul apart. That day arrived when I received the manila envelope from the courthouse. Staring at the signed divorce papers felt like a breeze of fresh, cool air—relief that the nightmare was over. It was official. The divorce was finalized, and I decided to make my newfound freedom a turning point.

However, something essential was missing. The day-to-day stress of being married was gone, but I still had to process what had taken place and find my road to recovery. For a while, I fooled myself into thinking I was healed. I thought once the abuse ended my issues would too, but to think my problems would magically disappear after Chris was gone was naïve. However, it became clear that I could not shove my dirty laundry into the closet and think it would just vanish. The smell lingered as a constant reminder of my pain. I just wanted to let it all go and start living again.

As mad as I was at my ex-husband, Chris, I eventually recognized that he was not the sole source of my brokenness. I had been broken before I married him. I had convinced myself I was too strong to be in an emotionally abusive relationship, and that admitting my mistakes would make me weak and vulnerable. My intentions to move forward were positive. I thought I had figured it out and returned to normal life. But despite these illusions, I was embarrassed and ashamed for not being brave enough to accept my dysfunction. Deep down I knew I was still avoiding my past and downplaying the severity of my experience. Eventually, I realized my path to healing was to face my past, and that I could not do it alone. I chose not to seek professional help or share the details of my sorrow with family and friends, so I reached out to God for His power to heal me.

As my faith grew, the words on each page changed. As I wrote, my divorce became less significant to my story. Instead, the healing I received through Christ and the journey to a faith-filled, peaceful life took center stage. I focused my attention on being grateful for God’s intercession. My messy marriage had afforded me the opportunity to really get to know Jesus. What a blessing!

God’s love and grace penetrated deep into my being and gave me the peace I so desperately desired; a peace that would not have been possible through human intervention. I realized the importance of sharing my