Reed's Reads of Wisdom Wednesdays™: God Can Use Imperfect People To Do Extraordinary Things— Why Broken, Flawed and Struggling People Still Have Purpose in God’s Plan

One of the biggest lies people believe is that God only uses perfect people. Somewhere along the way, many people started believing they had to become completely healed, emotionally stable, spiritually mature and mentally unshakable before God could use them for something meaningful. They think they have to conquer every insecurity, overcome every weakness and clean up every flaw before purpose can truly begin. But when you really sit down and examine both S.O.L.A.D.™: Soldiers of Light Against Darkness™ novels, one powerful truth becomes impossible to ignore: the heroes are not perfect people. They are wounded people trying to survive extraordinary circumstances while still holding onto faith, love and purpose.

That is part of what makes the story resonate so deeply with readers. Kevin struggles with insecurity and self-doubt. Jeff struggles with anger, pride and feelings of being overlooked. Juanita wrestles with jealousy, emotional conflict and fear of losing the person she loves most. Wiseman J carries tremendous grief and loss while still trying to guide and protect others. Even after Kevin and Juanita become Angelo and Angeline, they do not suddenly transform into emotionally flawless beings. They still experience exhaustion, fear, frustration and moments of uncertainty. They still have to grow.

That feels real.

Because real life is not filled with perfect people floating through existence untouched by pain. Real life is filled with ordinary people trying to hold themselves together while dealing with pressure, heartbreak, insecurity, disappointment, grief, stress and emotional battles nobody else can see. The beauty of S.O.L.A.D.™ is that it reminds readers that God can still use people who are struggling. In fact, throughout scripture and throughout these novels, God repeatedly proves that He specializes in using imperfect people to accomplish extraordinary things.

Kevin’s Insecurity Never Stopped His Calling

One of the most relatable aspects of Kevin’s journey is that before he becomes Angelo, he is not walking around overflowing with confidence. He is thoughtful, emotional and uncertain about himself in many ways. He overthinks. He struggles with heartbreak. He questions himself constantly. Even after becoming Angelo, those insecurities do not instantly disappear. He still worries about failing people. He still carries emotional wounds. He still feels pressure and fear during impossible situations.

That matters because many people believe spiritual growth instantly removes emotional struggle. It does not. Growth is often gradual. Healing is often gradual. Confidence develops over time. Faith deepens over time. God often works through people while they are still growing instead of waiting until they are “finished.”

The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:9:

“My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”

That scripture changes everything when you really think about it. God did not say His strength is made perfect in perfection. He said His strength is made perfect in weakness. Weakness creates dependency. Dependency creates surrender. Surrender creates transformation. Some of the people God uses the most are people who understand they cannot survive without Him.

Kevin becomes powerful, courageous and heroic, but one reason readers connect to him is because underneath the glowing sword, the super speed and the battles, he still feels human. He still feels relatable. Many readers see pieces of themselves in him because they too are trying to figure out life while carrying insecurities nobody else fully understands.

Jeff’s Anger Reveals a Deeper Hurt

Jeff is one of the most layered characters in the series because his anger is not just about rage. It is about pain. Before Angelo and Angeline arrive, Jeff is the hero everybody depends on. He has sacrificed for years. He has fought demons. He has risked his life repeatedly to protect others. Then suddenly, two newer, more powerful heroes arrive and much of the attention shifts toward them.

Jeff becomes defensive. Competitive. Frustrated. Jealous. And if we are honest, many people would respond similarly.

People love pretending they would handle being overlooked with perfect maturity, but rejection and comparison can expose deep emotional wounds in almost anyone. Jeff’s anger is rooted in the fear of becoming irrelevant. It is rooted in wondering whether what he sacrificed still matters. It is rooted in the pain of feeling forgotten after giving so much of himself to protecting others.

That emotional realism makes him compelling.

Yet despite Jeff’s flaws, God still uses him. That is a powerful reminder for readers because many people secretly believe one emotional struggle automatically disqualifies them from purpose. But struggling emotionally does not automatically make somebody worthless. Yes, unresolved anger can become dangerous. Pride can absolutely become destructive if left unchecked. But there is a difference between struggling with emotions and surrendering your identity to them.

Ephesians 4:26 says:

“Be ye angry, and sin not…”

That verse acknowledges something many people ignore: believers still experience anger. The issue is not whether anger exists. The issue is whether anger controls you. Jeff’s journey becomes a reminder that even flawed people still have value, purpose and room to grow.

Juanita’s Jealousy Makes Her Human

Juanita’s emotional struggles also add tremendous realism and emotional depth to the story. She deeply loves Kevin, but fear, heartbreak and uncertainty create emotional conflict inside her. Then she sees another woman emotionally connecting with him, and jealousy begins creeping into her heart.

Many people instantly condemn jealousy without understanding what often creates it. Sometimes jealousy grows out of insecurity. Sometimes it grows out of fear of loss. Sometimes it grows out of unresolved emotional wounds or heartbreak. Juanita’s struggle does not make her evil. It makes her human.

That is one reason readers empathize with her.

She is trying to process complicated emotions while still navigating purpose, responsibility and spiritual warfare. Her growth throughout the series is not about becoming emotionless. It is about learning how to process emotions without allowing them to destroy her judgment, relationships or identity.

That is something many adults are still learning in real life.

Some people think maturity means never feeling difficult emotions. Real maturity is learning how to manage those emotions in healthy ways instead of allowing them to consume you. Juanita’s journey reflects the emotional complexity many people carry silently every day.

God Has Always Used Flawed People

The truth is, this theme is not unique to S.O.L.A.D.™. It is woven throughout scripture from beginning to end. Moses struggled with fear and self-doubt. David struggled with lust and failure. Elijah struggled with exhaustion and depression. Peter struggled with impulsiveness and fear. Jonah struggled with anger and disobedience. Thomas struggled with doubt. Paul openly discussed battling a “thorn in the flesh.”

Yet God still used them mightily.

Imagine if Moses had decided he was too insecure to lead. Imagine if Peter believed his failures permanently disqualified him. Imagine if David thought his mistakes erased his purpose forever. History would look very different.

The enemy loves convincing people that one flaw defines their entire identity. He wants people trapped in shame, fear and hopelessness because shame keeps people stagnant. Shame convinces people they are too broken to move forward.

But God sees beyond current weakness.

Humans see damaged people. God sees potential. Humans see failure. God sees growth. Humans see insecurity. God sees purpose.

That truth alone has the power to change someone’s life.

Extraordinary Things Often Come From Ordinary People

One of the strongest themes across both books is that these heroes begin as ordinary people. They are not celebrities or kings. They are not flawless spiritual giants who never struggle emotionally. They are ordinary individuals trying to survive difficult circumstances while learning who they truly are.

That matters because most readers are ordinary people too.

People trying to survive:

• financial stress

• emotional exhaustion

• grief

• depression

• insecurity

• loneliness

• anxiety

• disappointment

• fear about the future

And in the middle of all those struggles, many quietly wonder:

“Could God still use someone like me?”

The answer is yes. Absolutely yes.

Sometimes the people who feel weakest become the strongest vessels because they understand pain, compassion, endurance and dependency on God in ways others never will. Brokenness does not automatically destroy purpose. Sometimes it prepares people for it.

Pressure Reveals What Is Already Inside You

Throughout both books, pressure constantly reveals character. Chaos exposes what is truly inside people. When Memphis falls apart, when demon armies attack and when fear spreads across the city, every character is forced to confront themselves honestly.

Not who they pretend to be. Who they actually are.

Pressure reveals fear. Pressure reveals pride. Pressure reveals courage. Pressure reveals bitterness. Pressure reveals faith.

And real life works exactly the same way.

Many people discover who they truly are during painful seasons, not comfortable ones. Trials often expose areas that still need healing, growth or surrender. Romans 5:3-4 says:

“We glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope.”

That does not mean pain feels good. It means hardship can produce maturity if people allow God to shape them through it instead of becoming consumed by it.

Stop Disqualifying Yourself

Some people reading this have already disqualified themselves from purpose because of their flaws. They believe their struggles make them unusable. Maybe they failed publicly. Maybe they struggle mentally. Maybe they became bitter after heartbreak. Maybe insecurity keeps whispering lies into their minds daily.

But weakness does not erase calling. Imperfection does not cancel destiny.

The characters throughout S.O.L.A.D.™ continue growing throughout both books. They fail sometimes. They struggle emotionally. They wrestle internally. Yet they keep moving forward anyway. Many readers need that reminder today. Growth is a process, not an overnight transformation.

Do not let social media convince you everybody else has life completely together. Many people are carrying private battles while still trying to function publicly. Some people smiling online are barely holding themselves together emotionally offline.

And yet God still works through imperfect people every single day.

Declarations for the Person Reading This

Speak these aloud if you need them today:

• God can still use me despite my flaws.

• My imperfections do not erase my purpose.

• I am growing, healing and becoming stronger.

• God sees more in me than I currently see in myself.

• My struggles will not define my future.

• I will not allow fear, anger or insecurity to control my destiny.

• I am still chosen.

• I am still valuable.

• I am still capable of extraordinary things through God.

Final Thoughts

One reason S.O.L.A.D.™: Soldiers of Light Against Darkness™ resonates with readers is because underneath the supernatural warfare, glowing weapons, demon armies and epic battles are deeply human people trying to navigate fear, purpose, grief, insecurity, faith and emotional struggle. Readers see pieces of themselves inside these characters because many people are fighting battles nobody else fully understands.

Some people are fighting depression. Some are fighting fear. Some are fighting bitterness. Some are fighting hopelessness. Some are fighting emotional exhaustion.

But throughout scripture and throughout S.O.L.A.D.™, one truth remains consistent:

God has always specialized in using imperfect people to accomplish extraordinary things.

Not because they were flawless. But because they were willing. And sometimes willingness is where miracles truly begin.

If this message spoke to you, I invite you to go deeper into the world of S.O.L.A.D.™: Soldiers of Light Against Darkness™. These books are filled with action, faith, spiritual warfare, imperfect heroes, hard choices, emotional growth and the reminder that God can use ordinary people to do extraordinary things.

If you are looking for a story that entertains, encourages and challenges you to see your own purpose differently, now is a great time to begin the journey. You can purchase your autographed copies of Book I and Book II directly from my bookstore at www.tyronetonyreedjr.com/the-shop.

Your support helps this series continue to grow and reach more readers who need stories about light, courage, faith and victory in dark times.