Former beauty queen Venus Raj made headlines coming out to admit she was in a relationship with an older man when she was 16.
Though there are those who were quick to understand and empathize, there are those who cruelly lambasted her for it.
Others even blamed her.
Venus took to social media to address this.
She wrote: “It’s sad to see how others see a half-filled glass as half-empty. I guess perspective matters.
“To all the women out there, I remain true to the message that I shared in @tonitalks_ . I’d like to encourage you of it again:
1. Your past does not define you.
2. Your future is ahead of you, not behind you.
3. No matter how filthy you have been, when you run to God, He embraces you, forgives you, and gives you a new life, and a new identity in Him.
4. He loves you despite the cracks.
“Don’t let people brand you of someone you’re not. Don’t be afraid to share your story.
“My life is a testimony of second chances, forgiveness, and grace. A broken vessel fixed by the Master Potter. It took a lot to muster my courage to share this to you. My main reason is to glorify the One I serve.
“I guess I have fulfilled that purpose.”