While in college, Samantha readily admits that some of her religious encounters during this time were confusing, occasionally persuasive in changing her actions temporarily, but did not change her heart. However, God arrested her heart when she attended graduate school at the University of Missouri-Columbia. She recalls making a profession of faith in Jesus Christ in 1996.
Samantha’s journey towards overcoming started at the moment of her conversion. However, the magnitude of her journey towards prevailing over her past took years. It was not overnight! She first had to acknowledge all the painful places in her heart and mind that needed healing. Samantha had to learn about her new identity in Christ and declare God’s Word over her life. She lived Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is…” Abiding in God’s Word helped her to overcome an array of painful and difficult circumstances stemming from her past.