'God Had Big Plans': From Abuse and Chaos to Christ

In a world full of lies, David Hoffman is on a mission to deliver truth. Hoffman, author of the book " Relationships Over Rules: 7 Principles to Lead Gracefully and Love Generously - Harnessing the Power of Relationships to Overcome Your Past and Embrace Your Future," is a successful business leader and family man today, but his journey didn't start out that way. "The world tells us all these rules of what you can't do," he told CBN News. "I grew up Jewish, so I can't be a believer ... I was raised in a broken household without a lot of love, and so I can't be married with kids and show them unconditional love." But while many people might buy into lies like these, Hoffman said there's another path — one centered on the Lord. "With God in the center, I just want to encourage people that, with Him in the center — with the gifts He gives you — with the relationships He places in your life, you can reach your true potential," he said.   Hoffman said his own upbringing led to complex feelings and emotions in his life. Overall, he felt a lack of love and this missing puzzle piece left him with a great deal of pain. "My father left when I was 11," he said. "I grew up with like a lot of neglect and I felt like I was alone a lot." Hoffman continued, "I would ask God why He would let all these bad things happen to good people."   It's understandable why he felt so conflicted. Hoffman described a childhood filled with abuse. The challenges were profound. Over time, though, he came to understand God's nature and character, realizing the Lord isn't the author of any of the evil we might face in life. As time went on, rather than living in lament, he came to appreciate those sentiments. "I just want to encourage people ... that your past does not define your purpose," he said. "And your past doesn't dictate your potential. And, so, for me, not having ... many loved ones in my life, not feeling a lot of love, not having a lot of opportunity ... it made me crave those and appreciate those."