Why Does God Love................Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliot?

Melissa Arnette Elliott of Portsmouth Virginia, suffered sexual abuse as an 8 year old girl, and endured the trauma of witnessing her father physically abuse her mother. When Melissa was 14, her mother finally found what it took to take her daughter and leave the home. A difficult time ensued as the two struggled on their own, but a new young woman, Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliot was forming behind the scenes.

Even as a four year old, Missy loved to sing to her dolls. Growing up in the Jackson era, she wrote daily letters to her idols, Michael and Janet Jackson, begging them to come and take her home with them. After her mother did rescue her, Missy enjoyed a new freedom that allowed her musical bent to blossom. She began to write songs, even to the point of covering her bedroom walls with lyrics.

Missy formed a vocal group called Sista with three other teen age girls. After an R&B concert, they managed to get a short audition at a hotel, were signed on to make a record, and a lifelong career in music had begun. She was soon recognized as a fine contributing singer, song writer, and rapper in the Hip-hop world, and released her debut rap album Supa Dupa Fly. Called “the most influential album ever released by a female hip-hop artist”, it went platinum with over a million unit sales.

After more hit releases and earning two Grammy Awards for best female solo rap performance, Elliot faced her threatening obesity with determination and was able to lower her blood pressure and lose 70 pounds in a few months time.

Elliot went on to win a third Grammy, earn top dollar endorsing products, and has built a substantial fortune for herself and her mother. She is also a spokesperson for Break the Cycle, a non profit working to limit domestic violence situations.

So what QUALITIES OF GOD are seen in the life of Missy Elliot?

One word comes to mind. OVERCOMER. Missy started OVERCOMING at an early age. No child should be expected to endure such trauma in her home, but she had to, and she did. She overcame the abuse by a cousin, the violence of her father, and being forced to move out and start over in poverty. With little opportunity, she and her friends overcame great odds by stepping out and taking a chance.

Missy had no resources other than her own innate TALENTS for singing and song writing, which she PRACTICED for years. She entered the male dominated hip-hop world of rap as a woman; again, OVERCOMING huge obstacles with absolute success.  Unlike a lot of people, Elliot was able to face up to, and conquer her own body when her weight and blood pressure were out of control.  

God wants us to, and provides what we need to Overcome as He has. In John 16:33, Jesus said:

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”