A Child Star who didn’t get Messed Up

Profile: Lisa Whelchel, Actress, Wife, Mother, Author, Blair in “The Facts of Life”

Apart from “What are the other girls from The Facts of Life doing now?” the question most often asked of actress and author Lisa Whelchel is, “Why did your life turn out so well when the lives of so many other child stars do not?” Lisa’s answer to this question is simple:

“I attribute it to the fact that when I was ten-years-old, that empty place that is in each of us was filled by God. Thus, I have never felt the need to look elsewhere for happiness or contentment. And that prevented me from walking down paths that only lead to pain and destruction.”

Her example speaks volumes

True enough, unlike many other child stars whose pre-pubescent careers were followed up with a sordid life of addiction and misery, Lisa – best known for her nine-year stint as “Blair” on The Facts of Life – has pretty much held the course, living a conventional life as a pastor’s wife and mother of three children since she retired from show business. Lisa has no dramatic story to tell about finding Jesus while drying out in a jail cell. However, her life still speaks volumes about the preserving power of faith.

Lisa first became a Christian at Sunday school. Having encountered what she describes as “the love of Jesus” at church, she was eager to take that love home with her. With a bit of help from her Sunday school teacher, Lisa was able to do just that by becoming a Christian.

“I just opened my arms to it. Maybe that’s why God tells us to come to him as children, because we don’t have to have it all figured out,” Lisa says.

That decision gave Lisa a new mission in life: to follow Jesus and to tell as many people as possible about him. She proceeded to do just that as she moved out to California to begin her Hollywood career.

Today, Lisa is still telling people about Jesus because she knows that everyone feels the same need for wholeness that she experienced as a child. Many people try to fill this need with sex, drugs or alcohol. But Lisa believes Jesus is the only one who can truly satisfy our inner longings; giving our lives the hope and purpose we all seek.

“What gives me hope is knowing God’s character, knowing what He’s like…and that He doesn’t change. Therefore, no matter what changes in my life, no matter what the circumstances are, I don’t have to lose hope, because I’m not trusting in my life, I’m trusting in the one who holds my life: God.”

Are you looking for peace and wholeness in your life? Perhaps it’s time you asked Jesus for help. If you don’t know Jesus, we encourage you to pray the following:

Lord Jesus, I want to know You personally. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of my life. Make me be the person You want me to be. Amen.

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